We've participated in "WBW" a couple times, but always with Twisted Oak wines somehow featured. This time, I'm tasting something that has absolutely nothing to do with Twisted Oak!
Was rummaging around in the bottom of the home wine storage (a converted laundry room cabinet - really!) the other day and found this interest looking German wine there. I vaguely recall buying this years ago on a trip to Solvang for some Santa Ynez Valley wine tasting. It's hazy, but I vaguely recall I had been reading about German wines and plucked this from the shelf of the small wine shoppe under the windmill.
So, I thought I saw Riesling on the label but closer inspection reveals it to be "Rieslaner", which I found out is a cross between Riesling and Sylvaner. I've had Sylvaner made by Rancho Sisquoc Winery down in Santa Ynez, but I've never had the combo before. Anyway, it's not Riesling, but it is halfway there, so I'm going with it.
Was happy to see that the cork was in excellent condition with a nice sparkly coat of Tartrate crystals on the base. The color is a pretty sort of orange-rust color, indicating perhaps a little oxidation, though in tasting I really didn't detect any.
The nose is very big, with orange blossoms and allspice leading the way. I also picked up a slight smell of something like botrytis, the fungus that makes Sauternes taste so yummy.
I'm pleased to report that this 9.5% alcohol wine has held up to my imperfect storage! The grape is apparently known for its acidity and this wine did not disappoint. The flavors ranged from orange to lychee, sweet but not at all cloying. In fact, it was so acidic that for a moment I feared it had gone over, but that was not the case.
This wine paired quite well with the rice crispy treats my lovely wife made last night. Deal with it.
Thanks to Tim over at Winecast for making me "open that bottle" and enjoy a delicious wine! (And look for El Bloggo Torcido to sponsor its own WBW later this year or early next year, Bwa Ha Ha!)
(Until I can get my camera and the bottle in the same room, you'll have to wait for a bottle photo - check back later!)
Now an answer to "what wine to pair with rice crispy treats?"!
Posted by: David | May 11, 2008 at 03:49 AM
Howdy El Jefe, we're a teeny winery way up in British Columbia, Canada and we actually make a Riesling Sylvaner wine from the grape called "Ehrenfelser", which grows pretty good in B.C. It's actually probably our best seller! Ours is 13.8% alcohol and about a '2' in sweetness. Personally, I think it pairs well with pure golden sunshine, but I'll take a crispie treat anyday!!
Posted by: jen | May 11, 2008 at 10:13 PM
hi David - I actually can't think of any other wine that would work... maybe a late harvest Viognier...?
hi Jen - sounds great! I had to go back and look up your Ehrenfelser (OK, that sounds wrong) and it sure seems to be the same thing as Rieslaner - maybe they were created from different parent clones and that's why they are different (or at least the book descriptions are different!) thanks!
Posted by: el jefe | May 12, 2008 at 09:59 AM
Sounds like you had as much fun with your Riesling as I did on this Wine Blogging Wednesday!
Posted by: Dale Cruse | May 12, 2008 at 05:38 PM