RAISE A GLASS

This month the annual celebration of German riesling is upon us.

I love the wines; their zip, their zest, their vitality and pizzazz. German wines are so very elegant and they deserve more love in this country.

As an example: My friend and I roadtested one of the wines in this missive, and shared it on a Facebook post. A comment came back: “I may have to revisit my opinion of German wines based on exposure to liebfraumilch – served annually at Christmas dinner when I was a kid.”

Many people probably think the same. Memories of warm, uninspiring German wine – liebfraumilch in particular – may deter people buying the country’s vinous delights.

But give them a chance!

Wine of Germany’s annual 31 Days of Riesling campaign is now in its 11th year. Here is a trio of treats.

Loosen Bros. Definition Mosel Riesling ( £11.99, or £7.99 in a buy six deal, at Majestic).

This is from the Mosel region, where the best grapes grow on steep riverside slopes. They’re helped to ripen by the sun’s warmth reflected up from the Mosel River. The wine has rivers of lemon and lime, is crisp and slightly off-dry.

Kendermanns Riesling Special Edition (RRP £7.49, Waitrose, with an online offer of £5.99, up to August 9). The riesling grapes grow in the Pfalz, Germany’s second largest grape-growing region, and one of the sunniest.

It’s a pleasantly crafted riesling, fresh with citrus and white peach.

Jakob Schneider, Grauschiefer Riesling (£15.45, online at The Wine Barn). Ah, a class act which I loved (with my friend!). It is from the Nahe region, and top wine experts have declared it one of Germany’s Winning Wines 2022. I’m not surprised. It speaks of red apples, apricots and lemons. Remember Opal Fruits? It’s a lip-smacking lime one. The wine is as racy as a Formula One car – flashy, sparky and dynamic. Superb.

Follow Wines of Germany online, or find the hashtag #31daysofriesling.

Look out for wine merchants, bars and restaurants which may be involved in the campaign. You know you want to.

Also in my glass … a fruitladen full-bodied red which did itself justice alongside a midweek steak, a dot of Dijon mustard, and salad. I’m talking about ASDA Extra Special Barossa Shiraz (RRP £7.50) which had punchy notes of hedgerow black fruits, coffee, spice, and a lick of vanilla and toast.

Email: jane@onefootinthegrapes. co.uk

Jane is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Find her on social media and online as One Foot in the Grapes.