German Riesling Week
SALE valid till 30th July
Dear Friends,
In conjunction with the international German Riesling Week held in the U.S. and the U.K. organised by Deutsche Wine Institute, we are happy to also promote German Rieslings in Singapore by offering a flash SALE valid till 30th July (Sat):
SWEET Riesling
1.Kesselstatt RK Riesling 2009, RRP $45 ==> Now $36
Ratings: 2008 vintage won BEST RIESLING at WRC 2010
2. Kesselstatt Josepshofer Riesling Kabinett 2009, RRP $57 ==> Now $46
(medium sweet)
Ratings: WS 89, JR 16/20
3. Kesselstatt Josephshofer Riesling Spatlese 2007, RRP $80 ==> Now $68
Ratings: WA 91, WS 90
MEDIUM DRY Riesling
4. Van Volxem Saar Riesling 2009, RRP $50 ==> Now $40
Ratings: JR 16.5/20
5. Van Volxem Goldberg 2009, RRP $88 ==> Now $75
Ratings: WA 89
6. Van Volxem Altenberg Alte Reben 2009, $140 ==> Now $120
Ratings: WA 93, 2008 vintage won BEST RIESLING at the PEAK 'G' magazine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L-d0v6xb4U&feature=related
A good youtube clip of Van Volxem's owner - Roman where he talks about Germany's top vineyard - Scharzhofberger. He owns 2 hectares! The other 2 large owners are Egon Muller and Kesselstatt. We already sold out his 2009 Scharzhofberger!
DRY Riesling
7. Donnhoff Riesling dry 2009, RRP $55 ==> Now $44
Rating: WA 88
8. Donnhoff Tonschiefer Riesling dry 2009, RRP $88 ==> Now $75
Ratings: WA 90
9. Donnhoff Hermannshohle GG 2009, RRP $190 ==> Now $150
Ratings: WA 93
Note: Min. Purchase is 6 bottles which can be a mixed case of any of the above wines.
Should you wish to purchase selected single bottles of our Kesselstatt and Van Volxem wines, they are available at Isetan Scotts but they will be at normal retail prices.
Wishing you a great weekend ahead!
Best regards,
Boon
________________________________________________________________________
Why drink German Riesling?!
1. They are delicious to drink with or without food and matches our Asian cuisines easily! Perfect refreshing white wine for our hot climate too!
2. German producers are the masters of the noblest white grape variety - Riesling. Germany is by far the largest Riesling producing country in the world and most importantly, Rieslings originated from the Rhine region in Germany in the 15th century.
But don't be mistaken re: large production, the producers we represent are members of the VDP (Association of German Quality Wine Estates which is the oldest wine association in the world) and the entire 200 members of the VDP produce only 2% of the total German harvest!
3. Riesling is the noblest white wine variety according to many wine enthusiasts and experts including Jancis Robinson and Michael Broadbent because it has the transparency/purity of flavours as well as its great ability to reflect the soil/terroir where its grown like no other white variety. i.e. Rieslings from different sites will taste different. Very similar to Pinot Noir!
How do you tell if it's a good quality Riesling or not? The key lies in the balance of fruits, residual sugar and acidity!
A nice old video tape of German Riesling by Jancis Robinson made when she was younger...now youtubed:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0a0zq0topD4
And a more recent clip by Jancis on Wines of Germany:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1b308qYOxtM&feature=related
4. Because of the daunting labels and complicated quality classifications, many consumers do not feel comfortable approaching or buying German Rieslings. Besides the higher price (due to higher production costs) and non-commercial method of marketing, the complicated classification and label of German Riesling is the main reason why it's not popular as say Austrialian Riesling or other New world Rieslingd. BUT these are the very reason why these gems tend to be purchased only by wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs instead of the wider population. i.e. not discovered by most consumers!
Don't be discouraged. This where to come in to help yo discover these gems especially the dry German Rieslings which the Germans themselves love!
The sweet Rieslings still following existing classification where their quality is graded by the ripeness. The riper the grapes, the better the deemed quality and potential complexity. Tell us your style preference and we'll guide you.
For the dry Rieslings such as Van Volxem and Donnhoff, you would be glad to know that the Germans are starting to listen to their consumers' complain re: label. The dry Riesling labels are a lot simpler now! The labels and names are in modern convention. Normally, they refer to the site which the soil is grown or the soil type. E.g. Tonschiefer refers to the type of soil, Goldberg is the vineyard site/name.
5. Don't worry about the residual sugar in sweet German Rieslings! They are good simple sugars - glucose rather than fructose or sucrose in not so health sweet products. Accompanied by food, these residual sugar with blend in nicely especially with Asian cuisines. In fact, they match our food much better than bone dry Chardonnay or round and more full bodied or oaky Chardonnay!
