Wine Tasting

April 28, 2010

All Riesling Tasting

Hosts:

Jim & Mary Crist

Comments:

This was an unusual tasting in that wine notes and winery names were available during the tasting and the wines were served one at a time. Following the last wine, simple but well matched food was served so that we could judge its effect on the wine`s taste.

The star of the evening had to be the $85 (per half bottle!) Icewine. What a fabulous treat.

Several of us who were not big Riesling fans are now much more receptive to this interesting and complex varietal.

Good work Jim and Mary!

Wines:

Code	Winery	Label	Location	Vintage	Score	Source	Cost

1	Deinhard	Lila Riesling Brut Sekt	Rheinhessen, Germany	N/V	85	BCLS	$15.49
2	Dr. Loosen	Dr. L Riesling	Mosel, Germany	2008	88	BCLS	$18.99
3	Chateau Ste. Michelle/Dr. Loosen	Eroica	Washington State, USA	2008	89	BCLS	$34.95
4	8th Generation	Dry Riesling	Okanagan Valley, BC	2007	86	Everything Wine	$24.99*
5	Trimbach Estate	Riesling	Alsace, France	2005	84	Everything Wine	$32.99
6	Cave Springs Vineyard	Riesling CSV	Beamsville Bench, Ontario	2003	93	BCLS	$30.00*
7	Tantalus Vineyards	Riesling Icewine	Okanagan Valley, BC	2007	94	Everything Wine	$84.99*

* Winery price for 8th Generation Riesling may be less, as they quote $19.90 for both their Rieslings (neither of which is labeled "Dry")

* Current BCLS price for CSV Riesling is $18.99

* Winery price for Tantalus was $69.99, but it is sold out there

Wine Notes:

The wines were rated on the Wine Spectator 100 point scale:

95-100	Classic: a great wine
90-94	Outstanding: a wine of superior character and style
85-89	Very Good: a wine with special qualities
80-84	Good: a solid, well made wine
70-79	Average: a drinkable wine that has minor flaws (plonk)
<70	Undrinkable unless you're desperate

Deinhard Lila Riesling Brut Sekt - Rheinhessen, Germany

"It's difficult not to like a sparkling wine that offers taste and style for such a small price, but that's what you get from the Deinhard Lila Riesling Brut Sekt. Its attractive floral nose melts into a dry, round, elegant, but taut, sparkler with green apple, petrol, and slate, mineral, citrus and peach flavours.". - Anthony Gismondi

Dr. Loosen Dr. L Riesling - Mosel, Germany

"Sleek and tangy, showing apricot, lime and mango flavours matched to a lively structure. There's good harmony and persistence through the finish". - Wine Spectator

EROICA Dr. Lossen - Washington State

".... shows the crisp acidity ... exudes mandarin orange and sweet lime aromas and flavours with subtle mineral notes. The mouthwatering acidity is beautifully balanced by flavourful Washington Riesling fruit". - Winemaker's Notes

8th Generation Riesling Dry - Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

"..... crisp, off-dry with notes of green apple on the nose followed by citrus mineral complexity". - Silver Medal All Canadian Wine Awards 2008

Trimbach Riesling - Alsace, France

"Bright, with green edges and a developed nose, the wine shows a hint of mineral flavour, which is associated with perfect ripeness. Flavours of white peach, quince and lemon on the palate with a lingering, clean and dry finish". - Winemaker's Notes

Cave Springs Riesling - Beamsville Bench, Ontario

"Tasted 4/2/2010: Beautiful flavours of aged Riesling. Don't leave any longer. Acidity is fading. Tasted1/18/2006: .... .lifted aromas of citrus and wet limestone. Med/Full bodied weight, great acidity, long finish. This wine will last for many years". - Cellar Tracker

Tantalus Riesling Icewine - Okanagan Valley, BC

"Tantalus 2006 Riesling Icewine is silky smooth with an intense honeyed sweetness balanced by crisp acidity ... bursting with flavours of tropical fruit, apricot and honey". - Winemaker's Notes

- Recommended by Everything Wine