Delectable German whites for every taste preference
Riesling 2012, Rüdesheimer, Rheingau, Leitz, Germany white, $20.20, SAQ # 11688402. Exceptional. Such a pristine minerality — not just a subtle streak, but one that has amplitude, that evolves, that offers such a complex low end to the wine. Texture is perfect. Fruit is there as well: ripe lime, melon. Serve at 8-10 C. Drink now-2018. Food-pairing idea: apéritif, raw oysters. Riesling 2012, Trocken, Rheinhessen, Klaus Keller, Germany white, $25.25, SAQ # 10558446. One of my favourite producers of dry riesling in Germany. Keller manages to coax out the minerality while still showing enough fruit to give it some approachability. This is pure rock, maybe with a twist of lemon pith. So edgy, nervy and fun to drink. Serve at 8-10 C. Drink now2018. Food-pairing idea: apéritif, white fish, mussels. Riesling 2011, Röttgen, Mosel, Heymann-Löwenstein, Germany white, $40.25, SAQ # 11858694. Really interesting, but hard to describe. The minerality is so dominant at first — smoky and dark. Then the fruit starts to peek out — almost a pineapple/ cantaloupe mix. Dry, lengthy and with great depth. Spectacular. Serve at 8-10 C. Drink now-2020. Food-pair
ing idea: apéritif, lobster, scallops. FRUITY
Riesling 2011, Mosel, Mönch- hof, Germany white, $18.60, SAQ # 11334920. Excellent entry-level riesling. You can feel the slate soils. Spicy, and with a minerality that brings images of river stone to mind. This is classic Mosel: minerality up front, some exotic fruit and a dry, almost salty finish. Serve at 8 C. Drink now-2018. Food-pairing idea: apéritif, shrimp stir-fries. Riesling 2011, Kabinet, Schiefergestein, Schäfer-Fröhlich, Germany white, $24.90, SAQ # 11905649. Not a ton left, but I had to mention this. So slick. This wine is the perfection of balance and complexity, and for the price, it’s even more impressive. The acidity is there, but so beautifully integrated. The fruit moves from apricot to more exotic notes. There is a herbal, almost juniper note. I just swirled and swirled it, drank, and then it was gone. Serve at 8 C. Drink now2018. Food-pairing idea: apéritif, spicy Thai curries. Riesling 2011, Spätlese, Ürziger Würzgarten, Mosel, Joh. Jos. Christoffel Erben, Germany white, $32, SAQ # 10303224. Very young, so teetering between sweet and dry. The fruit is quite exotic — pineapple and apricots. The minerality is subtle, but is there with each sip. Serve with cheese for now, or wait maybe 10 years. Serve at 8 C. Drink now-2030. Food-pairing idea: mixed cheese plates, chicken curries.