Day 8 – 12 days of Wine – German Riesling
Loosen Bros. Dr. L Riesling 2021, Mosel, Germany
Germany
I spent a bit of time in Germany some years ago. We visited Munich, Hamburg, and Cologne. Sadly we didn’t see much wine. Cologne is just north of where the primary wine regions of the country start.
Vineyards here are clustered around the rivers, where the flowing water helps to moderate the temperature. In the past, due to the climate, this was often difficult. With climate change, ripening is not as great an issue, but the rivers are a little more challenging. Climate change has brought heavier rainfall and flash flooding on the rivers.
Of course, the rivers are usually beautiful, and the surrounding landscape has quaint villages and steep slopes covered in rows of vines.
Riesling
If there is one wine most people are familiar with from Germany, it is Riesling. Riesling is the most grown variety in Germany and is made in various styles. When I first learned about wine, I thought that all Riesling was sweet. Well, I have since learned that is not the case, and with the popularity of dry wines, there are more and more dry Rieslings on the market.
This love of dry wines is a bit ironic for Riesling. You see, wines in Germany are on a scale of sweetness. It was tough to get the grapes ripe so that they would do several different picks, and the grapes that got to stay on the vine the longest and build up the most sugar, well, those were for the most expensive wines.
With the change in the climate, it’s easier to make these riper wines. Of course, this is also the time when the public is looking for drier wines. Ironic, no?
Riesling is known for its aromatic notes of petrol (gasoline). This petrol note comes from a compound called TDN, which forms due to ripeness and can increase with age. It might sound strange, but it is lovely on the nose of a wine.
In addition, you might smell Lemon peel, lime zest, wet stone, green apple, honey, beeswax, and lemon curd.
Loosen Bros.
If you are familiar with Riesling, you are likely familiar with Ernst’ Erni’ Loosen or Dr. Loosen. He and his younger brother Thomas, make Loosen Bros. The family has been growing Riesling in the Mosel for over 200 years. Erni took ownership in 1988 and expanded their production, exports, and education on Riesling. It’s hard not to find a Loosen Riesling.
The Wine
Loosen Bros Dr. L Riesling 2021
This wine is the ‘ambassador’ for the Mosel region in the US. It is the most popular premium Riesling in America.
It is grown in the slate soils of the Mosel valley.
The nose wafted with notes of petrol, lemon peel, lime zest, wet stone, and pineapple. There was honeyed lemon, green apple, pineapple, lime, and lemon curd in my mouth. It is medium/dry, so you do get a little sweetness.
8.5% abv $13.99 Total Wine or Wine.com
Why we chose this wine
The Dr. Loosen estate is committed to sustainable practices from the vineyards to the winery. In the winery, they have implemented improved energy efficiency, water conservation, & recycling.
Loosen Bros. (who produce Dr. L) was certified in 2012 with Germany’s “Eco-Step” program for environmental conservation and safety in their winery and vineyards.
Pairing
Shortbread and lemon curd with candied lemon, candied ginger, and edible flowers
Here is a recipe that you can make super easy if you like! Buy some shortbread, some lemon curd, pick up candied lemon or ginger, and something for a garnish, maybe edible flower petals like I did, or fresh basil would be lovely!
If you want to go the extra mile and make your own shortbread, lemon curd, and candied lemons, I have you covered with the recipes below.
Regardless of how you make it, the bite is perfect with Riesling. Lemon curd and Riesling are genius together. Honestly, give me a jar of lemon curd, a spoon, and a bottle of Riesling, and I’m good. The presentation is just icing on the cake.
The shortbread and lemon curd are fairly quick to make. The candied lemons need a day to dry.
Check out our book series, “Tempting Spoonfuls” available through Amazon!
Inspired by the flavors and aromas in wines, this book creates “tempting spoonfuls” of flavors to pair with wines.
Robin has always had a love for spoons, with a drawer full of them in all different shapes and sizes. There is comfort in eating something from a spoon and something very sensual also.
Creating a spoon filled with flavors and aromas that will be eaten in a single bite, allowing the flavors to meld and pop in your mouth, is a joyful endeavor, and you are encouraged to make these your own.
The spoons range from savory to sweet, with something for everyone, and while they are paired with wines, they are delicious on their own.
These recipes are wonderful for appetizers and hors d’oeuvres or simple to create something delicious to spoil yourself, much like a pint of ice cream.
Each of these spoons is paired with a specific wine, and you get a bit of background on the wine, its flavors, aromas, and a bit of its story. She also includes other suggestions for wines to pair with the spoon.
The book is a feast for your eyes, with photos of each layered spoonful.
There are also photos of the wines with the elements of their flavor profile surrounding them. Those elements often inspire the pairing.
The goal is to make your mouth water and encourage you to create your own “Tempting Spoonfuls.”
“Tempting Spoonfuls – Pairing single bites with glorious wines” – Our first book paired wines from boutique wineries on the west coast, in California, Oregon, and Washington, with delicious spoonfuls.
This book is 60 pages, 18 recipes, lots of beautiful photos, and insights into some fantastic small wineries!
“Tempting Spoonfuls – small bites paired with wines from around the Globe” – This book takes us around the globe to explore 12 wine regions, a wine from the region, and then gives you a recipe for a pairing!
A slightly larger book at 104 pages, this time you learn about pairing with a type of wine from a region. Rather than a specific bottle, you can look for a style of wine from a region and feel confident that it will go well with the recipe pairing we provide. We give you 12 recipes, each to pair with a wine.
Either of these books gives you wonderful recipes to create appetizer spoons to pair with wines for a party!
Robin Renken is a wine writer and Certified Specialist of Wine and WSET 3 Certified. She and her husband Michael travel to wine regions interviewing vineyard owners and winemakers and learning the stories behind the glass.
When not traveling they indulge in cooking and pairing wines with food at home in Las Vegas.
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