Winemakers Choice Hock

The Victorians were keen on German wines and for obscure reasons called all German white wines “hocks”.  Today the term seems to be used only for a lower quality wine (Landwein) of usually mixed grapes and provenance and invariably sold in a tall brown bottle.  All of which has a old-fashioned appeal to some.

The wines are typically on the medium-sweet side, pretty cheap and of lower ABV – this last being what has brought them to The Light Drinkers attention.   This unpretentious example from Asda is no exception.  It contains Muller-Thurgau, Riesling, Kerner and Silvaner grapes, has no appellation, its ABV is 9.0% and it costs just £3.98 per bottle and at that price it has much to commend it.  It is of course on the sweet side as it hits the tongue, but its finish is much drier with a nice bitter finish.  I find myself embarrassed to admit that I rather like it.  If you can enjoy the initial sweetness and are on a budget, then the price is certainly attractive, and it represents very good value for money.

Note: this wine is also available from Tesco labelled as a selected wine choice.  The producer is the same, and, as far as I can tell, the wine.  So logically I’ve used the same review for both.