GERMAN WINES(2)
GERMAN WHITES:
Riesling
The Riesling grape prefers to chill in cooler climates and crushes into Germany’s star wein. German Rieslings tend to be infused with zippy grapefruit flavors and peachy aromas. Higher-quality Rieslings hold much potential for successful aging.
Muller-Thurgau
The Muller-Thurgau grows under the belief that “early to ripe” makes the better wine. Its white wines with flowery aromas are similar to its parent Riesling’s but are milder in acidity.
Silvaner
The Silvaner’s white wines deliver delicate aromas and fine fruit flavors, which are similar to Riesling’s but lower in acidity and bolder in body.
Kerner
The Kerner grape, a fusion of the Riesling and the Trollinger, doesn’t fall far from the vine, as its juices meld into Riesling-like wines that are lively and acidic with sweet fruity bouquets.
Scheurebe
Another German hybrid grape, the Scheurebe is a mix of the Silvaner and the Riesling. Its wines are fragrant, full-bodied, and acidic with black fruit overtones and can make quality “Auslese” status in its best years.
Ruländer/Grauburgunder
The Pinot Noir is not the only one hiding out under a Germanic name. The Ruländer is just a cover for grape more widely known as the Pinot Gris/Grigio. These wines are big and full-bodied but smooth and gentle on the palate.
HOW TO ORDER/BUY
In the past, Germany earned itself somewhat of a bad rap when it came to wine. As a result, some people just skip right over that shelf at their local wine shop. On the other hand, there is a lot to be lost in overlooking the latest in German wines, as you can get a delicious one for the fraction of the cost of a similar type French wine.
So before you set out to test a German wine, take a quick study. While their labels are some of the most thorough out there, they are chalked full of terminology with which you may need to get familiar in order to make an informed choice. See the “Legal Quality Code” section below so you’ll know exactly what you’re looking on a German wine label.
When choosing a French wine, you can probably get away with buying one that doesn’t make legal quality “status.” However, on a German wine, you’ll do better to look for the quality label, as there’s a lot more room for hit and miss.
