Ulrich Langguth Piesporter Günterslay Riesling Auslese 2018

Virgin Wines have done a great job bringing this relatively unknown wine into the UK for it’s a fine example of an “Auslese” Riesling.  Great German Rieslings are graded on the Prädikatswein scale for the sugar level and condition of the grapes when they are harvested.  Auslese, meaning “select harvest”, is the third highest tier and requires the grapes to be hand-selected at harvest to have noble rot (caused by being subject to frosts) making them sweeter or bolder or higher in alcohol depending on the fermentation.

Our tasting panel loved this wine.  It is firstly honey sweet and rich with an extraordinary concentration of ripe flavours of peaches, mango and stone fruits.  Then follows a delicious acidity, beautifully balancing the honey and sending layers of earthy, honey-soaked, floral, fruity taste rolling around the mouth, with a long, long finish.  So whilst the wine unquestionably is off-sweet, this is nothing like, say, the sweetness of a muscat.  Instead it produces a taste symphony that is unique, very fresh and deeply satisfying.

So absolutely don’t be put off by the “off-sweet” label – this is a sophisticated nectar.  It makes a delicious aperitif and is a delight to drink whilst eating anything salty such as cheeses, salamis, anchovies or sushi.  You might even want to lay some down – it will keep improving for a good ten years.