Wine Talk by Art of the Table
August 25, 2010
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A certain "wine guy" I know is somewhat ashamed that semi-dry Riesling is what claimed his interested in wine back in the mid 80's. Of course we're talking specifically, small production wines.
I asked him why one day, and his response was the one I expected. "Well, you know...it's sweet and I've come to like dry reds and certain dry whites." I chuckled a little and asked him if he still secretly enjoyed a really nice German semi-dry every time he got the chance to taste one, and he smirked a little, then coyly admitted yes.
Let's get something straight: Riesling is great wine. It deserves a great deal of respect and many forget the qualities this incredibly versatile grape can have.
Riesling is arguably one of the most character changing grapes in the world. It will taste different in Germany than one from Alsace (which is literally separated by the Rhine River), or from Michigan to California, even California to Oregon/Washington. Terroir heavily dictates the characteristics of the wine.
Riesling was "born" in Germany. It has been cultivated and experimented with the longest there. Also, tradition runs deep in German Riesling. We find the best "close-your-eyes-and-smile" Rieslings of all styles usually hail from Germany.
Here are a few must tries in our minds. (and yes, some of them are from Australia and good ole' Michigan, we did say usually...)
We took a little hiatus of giving you pricing for all the wines in our emails. We are giving you the regular retail price - remember that we have case discounts at:
6 bottles = 5% off
12 bottles mixed = 10% off
12 bottles all same = 15% off
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Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt
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A Riesling from the Mosel, this is a Paul Mann Selection
(the man"n" to trust in German Riesling).
Side note: Every time you see Paul Mann written on the back of a bottle, you can trust it is a quality wine.
Delicious notes of pear and honey crystals on the nose with touches of delicate flowers as well. A fleshy mineral driven palate with sweet notes and lovely white fruit tones. Something tells me this wine is greatly overlooked because it's difficult to say, so just call it RK. RK is written on the label too, and there is some waiting cold in the cooler for you to take home.
$13.75
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Donnhoff Riesling Spatlese
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| An ethereal wine - again from Germany - with a pale golden yellow color. The ability to age this wine is outstanding. Drinkable at early release, but wait 10-15 years and amazing things will happen in the bottle. Now, it displays aromas of lemon custard and bright peaches soaked in sugar water. Earthy notes and basil like herbaciousness drive the mid-palate while the slight undertone of petrol (which will develop more over time in the cellar) lead you into a ridiculously long finish. This is an elegant wine and can pair up against the richest and spiciest of dishes.
$54
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Left Foot Charley Medium Dry
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| A great example of how wonderful Michigan wine is becoming. It also serves as a reminder that it's only going to get better. Left Foot Charley is actually in an old insane asylum complex in Traverse City (at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons), but the grapes are grown on the Old Mission Peninsula.
The medium dry Riesling is particularly good, with noteworthy tones of dried apricots and wild honey upfront on the nose. As it approaches the palate, the same tones of apricot and wild honey are backed up with earthy minerality and a healthy acidity. The finish is drier than you would expect a "medium dry" Riesling to be. While the fruit tones and sweetness is there somewhere, this wine is taunting your palate the entire time just waiting to finish off with that surprising finish. But don't think about it too much, it's still just really delicious wine that will make you smile.
$18.50
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Heinz Eifel "Shine" Riesling
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| A QbA (estate made) from Pfalz, Germany. We like to think of it as our little wine that doesn't like to be "labeled". Not really semi-dry, but I wouldn't call it dry either. Creamy tones of orange meringue and subtle lemony fresh acidity are noticeable first, but allow it to develop on your palate, lovely tones of dried rosemary and chalk develop in the undertones. A truly romantic wine, there is a lot to love in the bottle. We've only stocked this for a short while, and we must say...it's going very well here at the shop. We love it, and so has everyone that's tried it.
$10.75
***Also, we know many of our customers are fans of Kung Fu Girl Riesling. While Kung Fu Girl is very good, we feel Shine is equally as wonderful, if not more. We recommend you try Shine if you are a fan of Kung Fu Girl.***
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Rocky Gully Dry Riesling
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| Produced from grapes grown on the Frankland River in Western Australia, it's some seriously tasty wine. This is bone dry, and we mean bone dry. When we say this we don't mean it has no flavor. In fact, it's hugely mineral driven with tones of lime and green apple. Very floral on the nose and palate, this crisp and acidic Riesling is a foodie's dream. A perfect Riesling for delicate seared sea scallops. Try with an array of options. Wasabi cream and caviar, or terragon lemon creme fraiche with green peppercorns, anything your creative mind can come up with. This wine has a hard time finding food it doesn't go with.
$16.75
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We are participating in a great food and wine (and beer and coffee) event coming right up on September 11 and we would love it if you would join us! Whole Notes - Eat Local, Sing Global is a 5 course meal prepared from local farms by chefs from around town (Winchester, Electric Cheetah, Crumbles Cupcakery and cheese & wine selections by Art of the Table) and will culminate with music and dancing and coffee from Rowster! This year our event will be held at Koetsiers Greenhouse, where we can dine close to the land.
This event is a fundraiser for the north american choral company - they work with youth from our city and the GR public schools training them to sing and dance and use their voices. If you're interested, tickets are $95 (and tax-deductible) and can be purchased on the nacc website. More information is there as well as to time and details and pictures from last year's event. Please consider joining us!
The Staff @ Art of the Table
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