If, it is difficult to understand the labels on Italian wines then
it is even more difficult to understand German ones. The classification is very
hard to understand. No wonder they identify the wine with the grape. Rest assured that
this wine is made by one of the top producers in the Rheingau which is one of
Germany's top regions.
The Riesling grape variety is world renowned and it is in the Rheingau, the Rheinpfalz, Rheinhessen and Alsace (France) where it expresses itself best.
The Riesling grape variety is world renowned and it is in the Rheingau, the Rheinpfalz, Rheinhessen and Alsace (France) where it expresses itself best.
The Rosengarten vineyard
is situated in the town of Rüdesheim itself on the right bank of
the Rhine not far from the most prestigious commune of Johannisberg.
Johannes Leitz is one of the top producers. This Riesling is a Kabinett
Prädikatswein white wine as described in the postscript.
The soil, on the
south facing slopes of the Rheingau, is slate based which provides good
drainage. Whilst the soil is favourable for viticulture, the climate is not as
well suited since the vineyards are situated just short of 50 degrees north. The
cooler climate usually results in wines which are not so strong in alcohol and
this Riesling at 9.5 % is no exception: not that I noticed it.
We drank the wine
with a shellfish starter and it went exceptionally well with it. It is off dry
and has a mouth watering and fresh acidity which is well integrated into the
light body of the wine. It has complex and concentrated flavours of peaches and apricots, just as it says on the bottle; but with citrus fruits and spice. It has a
long length and the taste remains on the palate for a long time after swallowing.
Apart from going
well with food, I am certain that it would be a very good aperitif as it is
light in alcohol but strong in fresh fruit flavours with mouth watering
acidity. This fine product from Leitz has all the qualities of an outstanding wine. I recommend
that you drink it young.
We bought it at Waitrose for £9.50 a bottle and I think that it
represents very good value for money. I would be prepared to pay more. The Waitrose buyers have found an exceptional wine for
the money.
Please try some
good quality German wines which have the actual name of the vineyard on the
label. I am certain that you will be pleasantly surprised. Leitz 2011 Rüdesheimer Rosengarten Kabinett Riesling
is a good starting point.
Postscript
You may be
wondering what Prädikatswein and Kabinett mean? Well, Prädikatswein has
a similar quality level to the French Appellation d’Origin Protegée or Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée.
Kabinett indicates
a level of sweetness for a Prädikatswein and these wines are off-dry. The
level of sweetness increases up the scale through Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese (Dried
grape selection).
Are you confused?
This form of classification alongside the naming convention is very
off-putting. So it is no wonder that restaurants are reluctant to put German
wines on their lists and wine merchants are reluctant to stock their shelves
with them.
Trockenbeerenauslese,
from a good producer such as Leitz, is one of the most prestigious and
expensive German wines. It is sweet enough to be described as luscious and the
range of flavours is nothing short of amazing.
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