It amazes me how many times I’ve heard people say “I don’t like riesling” because whenever I hear that, I think “you haven’t tried the right riesling.” This is truly a misunderstood wine and one where you can find as many bad ones as good ones. And so, I can understand why it has a bad rap with some people.
But if you want to reduce the likelihood that the riesling you’re going to taste is a bad one, there are a few things you can do. One of those things is to buy a German riesling. Of all the rieslings I’ve tasted in my life, there are very few German ones I’ve tasted that I haven’t liked. That’s not to say that there aren’t any duds coming from Germany, but proportionally the majority are good… really good. And this riesling from Louis Guntrum is no exception.
The Louis Guntrum estate lies on the banks of the Rhine river in Rheinhessen between Oppenheimer and Nierstein. Like many European winemaking families, the history of the Guntrum family’s involvement with wine goes back for generations. All the way back to 1648. But, of course, they’ve also modernized their techniques and processes over the years.
This wine is subtle, but pleasant on the nose with soft floral, citrus and mineral aromas. The palate is semi sweet, yet tart at the same time, with perfect acidity. It offers citrus-drenched apple flavors that linger into a long finish. This wine is bright, lively and downright delicious—which is, perhaps, the most important quality a wine can have.
Wine: Louis Konstantin Guntrum – Louis Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Vintage: 2010
Alcohol: 9.5%
Rating: 89
Price: $13.00
Disclosure: This wine was received as a media sample.