I’ve been in a Riesling mood lately. This is probably due to the fact that I recently got to meet the makers of Donnhoff and Leitz Riesling, who were generous enough to host a guided, sit down tasting at the wine shop I work at. And by meet, I mean that I shook their hands, gushed like a total weirdo about how much I love their wine, and watched on from the sidelines while they made their presentation. I was entranced as I gathered dirty glasses and rang people up at the register. I can only imagine how great it was for the people sitting at the tables. What’s that saying about bridesmaids and brides, “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride”?  Well, I guess I’m always the servant, never the guest. This servant doesn’t give a damn, however, because I was just happy to drink all the left over wine the next day.

Riesling is really interesting, because contrary to what most people think about it, it is about more than just sweetness. The Leitz (pronounced lights) 2010 Eins Zwei Dry is a prime example; it is a bone dry expression of Riesling. Sort of like licking a rock that has a fruity core of apples, peaches, and magic. This wine is really fantastic. Wonderfully refreshing to drink alone or paired with stone crabs. It retails for about $18. The Leitz 2010 Rudesheimer Magdalenenkreuz Spatlese is also drinking beautifully. What a mouthful that name is, right? “Magdalenenkreuz” translates to “Mary of the Cross." This name was given to the wine because the vineyards were once controlled by the historic Abbey of St. Hildegard, in the area of Rudesheimer. This Riesling is very soft and lovable. Think smooth, ripe honey dew melon. So yummy, it retails for about $26.

 

I have to play favorites though, and admit that Donnhoff is the clear winner for me. It’s like love in bottle. I really loved the Donnhoff 2010 Oberhauser Lesitenberg. It is a wine that is shows wonderful minerality and fruit so ripe that the sweetness is concentrated and rich. It is complex, and balanced, with great acidity. This wine has an awesome, lingering finish that practically begs you to take another sip, so you can get to that moment of bliss again. I could drink this all day. Try pairing this succulent, juicy Riesling with spicy food. Both your food and the wine will be transformed. Suddenly the sharp edges of the spice will be softened and the musky, fleshier notes of the wine will be singing. In fact, someone bring me a bowl of curry and get me a glass of Donnhoff, stat! Also, Cornelius Donnhoff is pretty adorable, so that’s another reason to drink the wine- just saying.  It retails for about $32.