Wines of Germany: Sommeliers' Choice Wines
London International Wine & Spirit Fair
17th May 2005

Wines of Germany asked a selection of top London sommeliers to choose a German wine they rated highly and to provide food-matching recommendations from their restaurants' menus.

 

 2001 Wachenheimer Rechbächel Riesling Trocken, Weingut Dr Bürklin-Wolf, Pfalz, AP 5 142 043 24 02  £17.60 RRP
Recommended by Troy Sutton, Nahm.  Suggested food match: Lobster and wing bean salad, chilli jam, coconut cream and Kaffir lime.
A touch over-dry for me. 4/10

 2003 Rüdesheimer Berg Roseneck Riesling Spätlese, Weingut Josef Leitz, Rheingau  £16.79 RRP
Recommended by Martin Lam, Ransome's Dock.  Suggested food match: Grilled saddle of wild rabbit with bacon stuffed cabbage, mustard sauce and mashed potatoes.
The fastest rising star in the Rhine, if not Germany.  There's fabulous richness in this wine.  9/10

 2002 Ruppertsberger Reiterpfad Riesling Spätlese Trocken, Weingut Reichsrat von Buhl, Pfalz, £20.15 RRP
Recommended by Ronan Sayburn, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay.  Recommended food match: Ravioli of lobster and langoustine with lemon grass velouté.
A gorgeous nose.  Very crisp and very pure.  Very austere for a Spätlese and for a wine from the Pfalz. 8/10

 2002 Nackenheimer Rothenberg Riesling Spätlese, Weingut Grunderloch, Rheinhessen, £18.79 RRP
Recommended by Stephan Guicheteau, Nobu.  Recommended food match: shrimp and lobster with spicy lemon sauce.
An austere nose.  Rich and extremely well-balanced on the palate.  A touch of sweetness, but above all balance.   8/10

 2001 Rheingau Riesling Spätlese, Weingut Robert Weil, £22.30 RRP
Recommended by Bruno Murciano, The Ritz.  Recommended food match: Fillet of turbot with haricots beans, artichokes and salted capers.
Not tasted.

 2002 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese, Weingut JJ Prüm, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, £19.50 RRP
Recommended by James Dougherty, Butlers Wharf Chophouse.  Recommended food match: roast Suffolk pork loin, watercress mash and apple sauce.
Not tasted.

 2003 Deidesheimer Kalkofen Grosse Gewächs Riesling trocken, Weingut Bassermann-Jordan, Pfalz, £14.99 RRP
Recommended by Robert Gorgione, Harvey Nichols.  Recommended food match: organic salmon, champagne and butter sauce, Oscietra caviar.
A crisp, clean nose.  Very, very dry, but with an exceptional richness.  A hugely powerful wine. 7/10

 2002 Rotschiefer Riesling Spätlese Trocken, Weingut Heyl zu Herrnsheim, Rheinhessen, £9.50 RRP
Recommended by Nuria Frau-Trullen, Langham Hotel.  Recommended food match: wild sea bass steamed with clam and scallop risotto, lemon grass bisque.
A dullish nose.  Dry, crisp and clean.  But not a great deal to recommend it.  5/10

 1990 Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg Riesling Auslese, Weingut Karthäuserhof, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, £n/a
Recommended by Matt Wilkin, The Capital.  Suggested food match: seared duck foie gras with asparagus and girolles mushrooms, jus “pointu”
A very pale gold.  Very mineral nose.  Fairly sweet attack.  Full and round, but a bit dull and closed.  A second bottle was richer, rounder and sweeter with more vitality and power.  7/10

 2000 Scharzhofberger Riesling Kabinett, Weingut Egon Müller, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, £18.50 RRP
Recommended by Laurent Chaniac, The Cinnamon Club.  Suggested food match: stir fry of squid with garlic, shallots, coconut and chilli.
Not tasted.


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Last updated: 15 December 2005