2011 Van Volxem Alte Reben Riesling #27

Van Volxem is a 50-acrer estate along the Saar river, near Wiltingen. The estate makes Riesling and Pinot Blanc. Van Volxem dates to the Roman era, and it was first planted to vineyards in the third century. Monks worked the vineyards starting in the 11th century and in 1743 an abbey was built on the cite. In the late 18th century the estate was acquired by Gustav van Volxem, a winemaker from Brussels. In 1999 the estate was acquired by Roman Niewodniczanski, who expanded and greatly updated the estate, earning its wines high compliments from reviewers. The estate’s wines are dry and off-dry. Vinous has written that “Roman Niewodniczanski is setting new standards for our time in both style and sheer quality of dry Saar Riesling.”

Mosel-Saar-Ruwer is Germany’s most prestigious wine region and it is comprised of the vineyards surrounding the Mosel River and its tributaries, the Saar and Ruwer. This region is the northernmost of Germany’s primary viticultural areas, located on the western edge of Germany just above the northeast corner of France. Internationally Mosel Rieslings are considered among the finest white wines in the world. In Germany and elsewhere, the region’s name is often shortened simply to Mosel, and in fact since 2007 Mosel has been the formal name of the region for viticultural purposes. The references to Saar and Ruwer were dropped for ease of marketing. The distinctively crisp, mineral tasting, acidic Rieslings produced in Mosel are attributed partly to the region’s slate soils and extremely vertiginous vineyards. Many vineyards are on 60 to 80 percent cent inclines along the three rivers. Riesling grapes represent more than half of all the grapes grown in Mosel, followed by Muller-Thurgau, a white wine grape related to Riesling, and Elbling, an indigenous white wine grape often used for sparkling wines.

This white variety originated in Germany. It’s known for its strong flowery aromas and high acidity. Please note Rieslings can have dramatic differences as the grape can be used to make dry, semi-sweet, sweet and sparkling wines.