It’s time once again for Wine Blogging Wednesday and the host this month is Tim at Winecast. For those stumbling upon this who don’t know what Wine Blogging Wednesday is, it’s a monthly event when wine bloggers from around the globe all write about a common topic. The theme this month, for WBW #45, is Old World Riesling.
With Old World Riesling as the theme, you can check out about 50 other wine blogs today and discover a wide breadth of European Rieslings. Some reviewers will feature sweet Rieslings and others, like me, will highlight the dry ones.
Remember that syrupy-sweet stuff you were served the last time you had Riesling (the time when you declared that you don’t like Riesling because it’s too sweet), forget about that. Dry Riesling is delightful and is typically dominated with mineral and citrus flavors. Some of the German ones may also have a petroleum characteristic to them.
The Riesling I chose to review is Kuentz-Bas Tradition from the Alsace region on the eastern border of France. This is a region well known for its white wines, Gewürztraminer and Riesling in particular. Kuentz-Bas has been producing wines in this region since 1795, so I guess you could say they have a bit of experience.
Kuentz-Bas Tradition 2005
I am pleasantly surprised by the intensity of the nose of this wine. It’s not overbearing, but it’s more intense than I expected. Honeydew melon and floral notes are the dominant aromas, but there is also a bit of mineral smell like the wet rocks from a crisp, clean mountain stream. That mineral aspect dominates the palate. It is like pulling one of those rocks from the stream and sucking on it. Picture one of those well-worn, rounded, granite-based rocks. There is also a good amount of lime flavor mid-palate with a crisp acidity. The finish brings a subtle pineapple flavor to the tongue. It’s a long finish too—I can walk away from this for a few minutes and I’m still enjoying the aftertaste.
This is a great example of a dry, old world Riesling at a decent price, $14.99. If you’re someone who has always avoided Riesling because you think it’s too sweet, I suggest you give this one a try.
Wine: Kuentz-Bas Tradition
Varietal: Riesling
Vintage: 2005
Alcohol: 12.5%
Rating: 89
Price Paid: $14.99