Press

The time most people buy sparkling wines is typically right before the winter holidays…To guide holiday shoppers, we publish our annual review of sparkling wines every November, highlighting selections that our “usual suspects” group of tasters enjoyed.

With the attention and fanfare devoted to Riesling, it’s easy for even well-versed readers to forget that 76% of Germany’s total plantings fall squarely into the ‘not-Riesling’ category. In fact, of the 462 Grosse Gewächse (GG) wines presented at the VDP’s annual tasting last month, only 16% were Riesling.

With iconic steep sloped vineyards, a mosaic of slate-driven soils, tapestry of microclimates resulting from the snaking Mosel River, families with twelve generations of winemaking, next generation passionate winemakers, and low-intervention, biodynamic winemakers, Mosel Valley is one of the world’s premier wine regions, producing some of the world’s best Riesling.

One of the joys of summertime is finding the perfect wine to pair with the season’s variety of outdoor activities. From a refreshing and salty white that complements beach snacks to a chilled red at a backyard cookout that brightens every dish to an icy rosé that makes a lazy weekend picnic that much more enjoyable, some wines were just born to be sipped al fresco.

The German rosé wine industry, with its unique styles and quality, has a fascinating history that has evolved significantly over the years. These wines, which now represent about 12% of Germany’s wine production, have become a significant part of the country’s wine industry.

As Burgundy prices keep rising, Pinot Noir fans should look north toward Germany and its Spätburgunder.