The Riesling grape varietal originates in the Rhine region of Germany and is considered one of the top three white grape varietals. It is an aromatic grape, high in acidity and is used to make dry, semi-sweet, sweet and sparkling white wines. Germany’s flagship grape, Riesling produces elegant wines which are the most long-lived of white grape varieties.

Riesling Grape

Moselland (in the Mosel region of Germany) is a cooperative of wine growers that got it start many years ago. Today they produce a variety of exceptional Rieslings including everything from dry Rieslings to organic Riesling. My first introduction to Moselland was the Landmark Series (Hollywood). It was one of the most refreshing white wines I’d tasted in a long time. On the nose was the fragrance of a ripe green apple along with a hint of peach and a slight bit of honey. The taste of sweet pear and a hint of pineapple consumes your tongue while the slightly acidic finish caresses your throat. This is definitely a delightful wine to have on a warm summer day.

I was given the Landmark Series as a gift and when it was gone I went in search of finding more. However, the day I was looking for it I couldn’t find it but what I did find was another Rielsing by the same producer. It was the Moselland ArsVitis Riesling. I purchased a couple of bottles and couldn’t wait to get them chilled and ready for tasting. After getting the bottle nice and chilled I opened it hoping to recapture the elegance I’d found with the Landmark Series. Again, the bouquet was of fresh fruit. However, on the palate lemon and peach flavors were experienced. Now I must say I found ArsVitis refreshing as well but I am more partial to the Landmark Series.

One other spectacular thing you should know about these Rieslings is that the bottles are absolutely beautiful. You see the winegrower Heinz Ames is also an artist who actually paints watercolors with wine. He uses Riesling to paint beautiful scenes of the Mosel Valley that are found in the wine bottles themselves. The bottles are so beautiful that you almost don’t want to drink the wine. In the ArsVitis collection there are 15 editions to choose from.

So if you are looking for a nice Riesling think Moselland and give it a try.

The Wine House

Yesterday  The Wine House hosted an in-store wine tasting featuring Terry Theise, USA’s premier importer of German & Austrian wines as well as, growers Champagnes (sparkling wines of Champagne that aren’t produced in the larger houses). A true wine aficionado, Terry  started importing wines from Germany in the 1980′s. To say that Terry is knowledgeable about wine would truly be an understatement. He is an award winning, progressively intellectual wine professional and I truly enjoyed meeting him and tasting some of the wines he imports.

Adam Zuckert & Terry Theise

I also had the pleasure of meeting another lovely man, Adam Zuckert. Adam had the most important job of the day. He poured all of the great wines we got to sample.

Featured were the following:

Champagne

• NV Hebrart, Brut, Cuvee de Reserve

Austria

• 2008 Hofer, Gruner Veltliner Liter
• 2006 Prieler Leithaberg Weiss
• 2003 Brundlmayer, St Laurent Ried Ladner

Germany

• 2007 Spreitzer, Rielsing Trocken Liter
• 2007 Leitz, Redesheimer Magdalenenkreuz Spatlese

Also poured were a Wagner Stemper and the AJ Adam Riesling. The Riesling was absolutely delicious. A smooth and creamy wine with flavors of citrus fruit and honey. It was definitely a welcomed surprise.

Of the wines listed above I had two favorites…the Brundlmayer and the Lietz. As most of you know I love Zinfandels and the Brundlmayer had the frutiness of Zinfandel with the pizazz of Grenache & Pinot Noir. The sugar content of the Brundlmayer was not as apparent as an American Zin but the full fruitiness was certainly there. I found this wine very tasty and appropriate for any occasion.

The Lietz Riesling is a fruity wine with a silky texture and  flavors of peach and grapefruit. I found it to be semi-sweet with a tangy twist. This delicious wine can be enjoyed with a meal or alone (as long as it is chilled) on a hot summer day.

From the standpoint of the wine…most of what was poured was delicious. One suggestion to the owner of The Wine House… please get a bigger, more comfortable tasting area. For a store this size there should be a bigger area to accommodate  the people who attend the wine tasting.

One special or unique thing that The Wine House offers is a self serve tasting room (see pictures below). These machines are set up with various bottles of wine that patrons can taste at their leisure. You just insert your money or pre-paid card and push the button for the wine you want to taste and voila…you glass is automatically filled.

Wine Dispensers at The Wine House

This is the wave of the future in wine tasting… Sorry Adam.

If you have never been to The Wine House you must check it out. Not only do they have rows and rows of wine for your drinking pleasure they have a great restaurant for a unique dining experience. Check them out today.