Riesling + Alsace

This summer Susana Leonardi, author of the Wineaux column in the Davis Enterprise, proposed we do a Riesling tasting before the holidays. She and I share a love of aromatic and crisp white wines, especially those which are excellent food pairing wines. I agreed immediately. 
 
Thanks Susana for the idea, and promoting the tasting to your readers in the last few columns.  We can't wait to show off this amazing grape, which IS a wonderful wine for Fall and the Thanksgiving table. 

We'll try several Rieslings from around the world before concluding with a few Alsatian wines, since we are still in our France destination series and Alsace is the home of French Riesling. Tasting lineup includes the following, including two distinct wines from personal cellar.
 

2020 Prinz Riesling "Trocken" Rheingau, Germany. Fred Prinz started as a 'garage' winemaker in 1991, and today is one of Rhengaus preeminent small production winemaker. Due to their higher elevation and because they're set back from the river,  Fred's vineyards, specifically Jungfer & Schönhell, tend toward a finer more elegant style than one expects from typical Rheingau wines.
🍴Bavarian pork schnitzel w/ french fries and lemon wedges.

2022 Henschke Riesling "Peggy’s Hill" Eden Valley, Australia.  This Riesling from one of Australia's leading winemaking families - 6 generations, started in 1868 - takes its name from a local landmark, Peggy’s Hill, at the top of the range between the villages of Eden Valley and Keyneton. Peggy's Hill Riesling is produced from selected traditional Henschke Eden Valley growers with vines up to 50 years old and grown in low vigor ancient Cambrian soils at around 500 meters in altitude. Peggy’s Hill Riesling displays exceptional varietal characteristic with its high acidity (pH level: 2.92 Acidity: 7.3 g/L) while also showing off the regional style of light nuttiness, bright citrus and stone fruit.    
🍴Crispy King George whiting fish w/ yogurt tartar sauce & fresh herbs.

2019 Stirm Riesling Wirz Vineyard, Cienega Valley, California. Hand picked from old vines in remote Central Coast, the wine receives 24 hours maceration to extract tannins, aroma, and flavor compounds in the skins, followed by pressing the grapes. No sulfur was added, allowing the juice to oxidize a bit. Elevage in tank on fine lees for 22 months and only 225 cases (9 barrels equivalent) were produced. Compared to other Rieslings this has much lower acidity (pH: 3.38, Acidity: 5.2  g/L).
🍴Thai red curry vegetable soup.

/ Selections of Riesling from Ryan’s Cellar / 

Moving in to the Alsace tasting...

2018 Allimant-Laugner Riesling "Praelatenberg" Grand Cru Orschwiller, Alsace. The Laugner and Allimant families having been making wine in Alsace since the 1500s.These days, the wines are made by Hubert Laugner, the 11th generation in this winemaking lineage. Ranging in age from 18-65 years, his vineyards are at the southeast-east-facing edge of Alsace along the Rhine, planted in granitic soils with rich iron sub-soils. The Praelatenburg is full of tart apples, fresh lemon citrus and mineral notes on the nose and palate, with subtle floral undertones. Structured and elegant, a feat that Laugner achieves by deftly blending fruit from different-aged vines, this gorgeous Riesling will only improve with age.
🍴Flammenkeuche (Alsation white pizza) w/ potato, bacon & onion. 

2020 Boeckel Sylvaner "Midelberg" Mittelbergheim, Alsace, France, The family is rooted in Mittelbergheim since 1530 and Fréderic Boeckel wingrower stated to commercialize his wines 1853. Today, brothers Jean Daniel and Thomas Boeckel cfarm their 24 hectares of prestigious Terroirs, cultivated in organic agriculture. The Sylvaner comes from young vines in the Grand Cru Zotzenberg and other vineyards in Mittelbergheim. Boeckel also makes the only Grand Cru Sylvaner in Alsace. The wine is ripe and elegant, with a saline bouquet of intense white and yellow-fleshed fruits. Fine tannins and lingering salinity, this is an elegant Sylvaner with intense and well-concentrated fruit.
🍴Quiche Lorraine (tart with eggs, bacon, gruyere, etc) and herb salad.

2018 Boeckel Pinot Noir "K" Mittelbergheim, Alsace, France. Known primarly for their whites and sparkling Cremants, Boeckel is making some exceptional Pinot Noirs, too. This vineyard was planted near the Grand Cru Kirchberg de Barr, but it has not YET earned Grand Cru status, hence the nickname "K". Aromas are foresty and full of red berries, the structure is still fresh along with concentrated tart berries with ripe dark cherries. The contract of light and dark is a like a symphony on the palate. A long, fruit filled and oak spiced finish lingers thanks in part to 20% oak barrel aging.
🍴Duck à l'orange and arugula salad. 

Allimant-Laugner Crémant d'Alsace Rosé. Cuvée of 100% Pinot Noir with a brief maceration of a few hours directly on the press to bring it its beautiful pastel salmon color and notes of fresh red fruit. Aged in bottle between 12 and 18 months to maintain fresh fruit profle, and developing only a hint of brioche aromas. Limited to just 4g/l during dosage for only the slightest touch of sweetness on the finish.
🍴Beef carpaccio and a variety of soft cheeses.

Please inquire for our other Riesling available for purchase.
Forge Cellars, New York; Emile Beyer, Alsace

Join Us! 
Friday 2-7pm, Sat + Sun 2-6pm.
Tasting fee is $15. Waived w/ 3 bottle purchase.