It is the norm to bring a hostess gift with you when invited to dinner. The question of what to bring is often addressed by a bottle of wine. That of course leads to the next question as to what type of wine to select as the gift.
The answer is quite easily answered though I am a bit reluctant to provide the answer.
Why am I reluctant?
Well, since you asked, the answer to the question is to select a Riesling. And, the reason that I am reluctant to provide the answer is that there are too many people becoming reacquainted with the joys of drinking Riesling.
The growing popularity of Riesling combined with the dollar’s fall versus the euro have combined to cause a significant increase in the cost of Riesling from Austria, France (Alsace) and Germany and a reduction in the availability in the U. S. of better brands from those countries.
Yes, in the good old days, way back almost three or four years ago you were able to go to your favorite wine store and pick up an excellent bottle of Riesling from a very good vintage for $20 to $30 without fail. A weekday bottle of a nice Riesling could be had for $9.
While I am very happy for the winemakers in Austria, France and Germany it is a bit of a setback for us Riesling lovers that our heretofore largely overlooked wine is being recognized for the superb varietal that it truly is and has been for a very long time; the curse of Blue Nun notwithstanding.
There is no doubt that the myriad of complexities that are present on the label of Riesling produced in Austria and particularly in Germany can cause migraines and tend to make potential buyers move on to Chardonnay.
You will find that a simple step to purchasing German Riesling is to look at the alcohol content on the bottle. If you are bringing the Riesling as a hostess gift i.e. it is, in theory, intended to be consumed within a short period of time and is to be a match for most food, go with alcohol content above 10%. This tends to give you a “dryer” wine that can be enjoyed immediately and will match up with most dinner menus.
In the U. S. there are several notable areas that produce world class Rieslings. The Finger Lakes Region of New York and Washington State are at the head of the class.
For weekday meals a sure bet, vintage to vintage, is the Chateau Ste. Michelle 2009 Dry Riesling from Washington.
The grapes for the Chateau Ste. Michelle 2009 Dry Riesling are sourced from various vineyards throughout Washington with the majority coming from the Yakima Valley.
This wine is widely available for $12 a bottle.
The Chateau Ste. Michelle 2009 Dry Riesling opens with peach and apricot scents and gives you the dry and crisp tastes that are classic Riesling. There is a nice bit of acidity and crispness to the finish.
The 2009 Standing Stone Vineyards Riesling is produced from grapes grown on the winery’s vineyards located on the east side of Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes Region of New York.
The wine has a tropical fruit forward presentation with crisp tropical fruits on the palate and a touch of acidity that balances the presentation out very nicely.
The 2009 Standing Stone Vineyards Riesling is available for $13 a bottle and can be found at many wine stores.
Standing Stone is a producer that you should keep an eye on in coming years. The Ice Wine produced by Standing Stone has already garnered a devoted following.
The 2008 Trimbach Riesling from Alsace continues its consistent performance vintage to vintage from this major producer. The grapes for this wine are sourced from various vineyards throughout Alsace.
Priced at $17 a bottle this wine is widely available.
There are aromas of citrus and flowers; the taste is dry with a balance of fruit and a touch of stone. The finish is long and pleasantly refreshing. This is a very food friendly wine and an excellent introduction to Alsatian Rieslings.
For a weekend meal or special occasion search out the Dr. Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese 2006; or for that matter, any vintage of this wine that you are able to get your hands on.
With this wine you will experience a significant change in approach, richness, and concentration versus the three wines suggested for weekday meals. It is an excellent introduction to the finesse style of German Auslese level Rieslings.
Expect to spend in the $35 range for a bottle but, trust me, it is well worth the investment.
Weingut Dr. Loosen Brothers is one of the leading wineries in the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer region of Germany. The Loosen family has assembled a collection of vineyards in the most desirable areas of the Mosel Valley and has worked these vineyards for over 200 years. Ernst Loosen took over management of the winery in 1988 and is regarded as one of the leading advocates of Riesling in the world.
The Dr. Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2006 is produced from vines that are grown in blue slate with very little top soil. This gives the wines a minerality and acidity that balances the peach and lime fruit flavors.
The finish is wonderfully long and fresh.
This wine can be drunk now or aged for up to 25 years should you be able to resist the urge to enjoy it in the near future.
The Dr. Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese 2006 matches very well with spicy Asian cuisine
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