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TCK

Barrel Filler
Posts:1279

12/01/2002 4:55 PM
This topic got inspiration from the conversation that myself and other have been having on the 2001 German vintage. The German wine rating system is bases on the ripeness of grapes at the time of harvest. That being said do you think that at the higher levels of the Pradikat, most noteably those labeled Auslese that there is more variability then there are are at say the Kabinett level? I find a great deal of Auslese and some Spatlese bottles to be seriousely out of balance, excessively sweet. However, when an auslese wine is balanced it is one of the most rich and exciting wines you can taste. At the the lower levels of ripeness namely Kabinett and even Qualitatswine the variability is less of a factor, though never obtain the richness associated with high scoring greman riesling. I have been disapointed by more Auslese Rieslings that were out of balance (on a percentage bases) then any other type of wine. At the same time some of my most memorable wine experiences were also from this category. Have others noticed greater variation at the higher levels of the QmP Hierarchy? And, are there those who prefer the lower level, less sweet wines over the concentrated and rich sweeter wines. TCK

Pool Boy

Laurl, MD (DC suburb)

Master of Wine
Posts:13627

12/02/2002 2:42 PM
This thread is just begging for GATC to comment on it. I seem to remember someone saying that this variability settles down with age. Spatleses and Ausleses being the ones to age (longer) in order to allow the balance to shine through (that does not make itself apparent when the wine is younger). Then again, I am just talking out of my butt here, as I am no German wine expert, not by a longshot.

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Jeremy Matthew User is Offline

Barrel Sampler
Posts:2067

12/02/2002 10:39 PM
I second TJ's comment about the need for age. The idea with both Spatlese and Auslese is the developement of the wine over age. Very few are designed to be drunk young. Couple that with producer variability and that maybe give you an answer. A good Auslese should be capable of twenty years in the cellar. Hell even a good Kabinett can go twelve years if from a good vintage and still maintain good solid clean fruit.

GATC

Barrel Sampler
Posts:2420

12/03/2002 6:49 AM
IMHO I consider any German riesling that is out of balance, and too sweet at any stage in its life, to be inferior. Age will definitely take care of some of the sweetness, but without the proper acidity, it will be dull and unexciting even if it is intense with flavor. I think wines that are too sweet or has a metallic (vs mineral) taste give them a bad rap. German rieslings are relatively inexpensive so I think it is wise to select from the best vintages and the best producers and ignore the rest. I'm certainly no expert, but I am a fanatic when it comes to these wines.

TCK

Barrel Filler
Posts:1279

12/03/2002 2:25 PM
GATC This is my feeling as well. Only in very good years do the grapes mature properly to give good balance. Temperature fluctuations are a big problem that can effect how long the grapes are able to hang and often cause premature harvest. At the lower levels of German wine this often will result in the wine maker to use the Stusereserve (left over grape juice) to sweeten the wine. This makes riesling taste like a wine cooler. I, like you GA will be stockpiling the 2001 vintage. TCK

GATC

Barrel Sampler
Posts:2420

12/05/2002 12:28 AM
I read somewhere that German rieslings are grown in the highest latitude (or is it longitude) or all fine wines. I often forget how bad the weather is there. I sent one guy to Germany for a year and he's been begging to come back as soon as it got cold in the fall! No wonder they have more bad vintages than any other area.

TCK

Barrel Filler
Posts:1279

12/05/2002 12:38 AM
I have also heard that often the falls stays cool for a very long time therefore allowing for extra hang time for the grapes that accounts for the complexity of Riesling in the great vintages. TCK Actually, I would think that Chili is just as far away from the equator as Germany, just on the opposite side of the equator.

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