In celebration of our first annual German Culture Day and Rhineland Dinner, the Historical and Cultural Society will be blogging about German culture, food, wine, beers, music and more. Kicking off our German series is a three-part blog about German wine. Sam Wai, a local wine expert, shares his vast knowledge of the various wines produced in Germany; a country often over looked for a source of great wine.
Reislings
By Sam Wai
Contrary to how most of us may assume that Germany is primarily a beer drinking country, average household budget in Germany for wine has exceeded that for beer since 2001. Wine’s share of the German market for alcoholic beverages continues to grow.
When Germany is mentioned as a wine producing country, most of us think of Riesling. Riesling is also the most widely grown variety in Germany. With 56,000 acres, German Riesling accounts for 60% of the world’s Riesling. There is also a quiet Riesling Renaissance in our country. Light in body and long on elegance, Riesling of the table wine style is a versatile wine for food pairing. Without being oaked, it is perfect with seafood. Riesling is just right for the lighter meals many have come to prefer.
Although this noble varietal is found in many parts of the world, it does best in the cooler climate and the well-drained slatey soils along
the steep banks of the Mosel River. Look for a Mosel Riesling of the Kabinett designation from your favorite wine store.
A Mosel wine usually comes in a tall green bottle. Kabinett on the label essentially signifies a quality wine with a small amount of residual sugar (natural grape sugar not fermented into alcohol) just enough to balance the usual high acidity of Riesling grown in the Mosel region. Despite a wine of great distinction, it will most likely please many less experienced palates as well. The Riesling with one step more sweetness is labeled Spätlese. A Spätlese is excellent with egg dishes (those served at brunch), sausages and other pork dishes for which Germany is famous. Kabinett and Spätlese Rieslings that are made drier are labeled as “Halbtrocken” or “Trocken” meaning half-dry and dry. These drier wines (with less sweetness) are increasingly seen in the U.S. Those labeled “Select” and “Classic” are under a new classification for completely dry wines but they have not been widely available in our area. Outside of the Mosel region, Riesling is also widely grown in some of the other major wine regions of Germany like Rheinhessen, Rheingau and Pfalz. As a general rule, wines from these regions tend to be a little richer, more aromatic and often with more tropical fruit notes. Of course, there are many exceptions.
For the Rhineland Dinner on September 28 at the Hjemkomst Heritage Center, we have selected two excellent Rieslings representing the Mosel and Rheingau regions. Come and join us for a three -course German meal at 6 pm and taste the wines for yourself.
Tickets are $50 per person with beer and wine available for purchase. Reservations are required. Purchase tickets HERE or call 218-299-5511 ext. 6737. All proceeds benefit the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County.
