Clean Slate Riesling (2008)
Having started with a local Virginia Riesling, we're now moving to Riesling's home turf: Germany. This week's selection is the 2008 Clean Slate Riesling from the Mosel region.
The Label
"Ripe peach flavors balance lively acidity, hints of lime and characteristic mineral notes." Residual sugar levels aren't noted on the label.
My Thoughts
When I first opened the screw cap and poured a glass, I was overwhelmed by the smell and taste of slate. Maybe slate was on my mind because of the wine's name, but I think the slate came through a lot more strongly than the mostly American Rieslings I've drunk till now. However, the strong slate nose and taste soon subsided, revealing a pleasant, refreshing peach and green apple flavor. I'd have loved to seen just a little more acidity to balance the sweetness, but paired with the right food that would probably become a non-issue.
When I first opened the screw cap and poured a glass, I was overwhelmed by the smell and taste of slate. Maybe slate was on my mind because of the wine's name, but I think the slate came through a lot more strongly than the mostly American Rieslings I've drunk till now. However, the strong slate nose and taste soon subsided, revealing a pleasant, refreshing peach and green apple flavor. I'd have loved to seen just a little more acidity to balance the sweetness, but paired with the right food that would probably become a non-issue.
Other People's Impressions
http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/jul2010/bw2010078_922659.htm
Coincidentally, BusinessWeek (or now, Bloomberg BusinessWeek), designated this as their wine of the week this week. They loved the wine, calling it a "perfect 10."http://www.wineweekly.com/wine-reviews/white-wine-review-clean-slate-riesling/
Wine Weekly, a blog that doesn't seem to have been updated since 2009, points out the importer's role in presenting this wine to the American public. It's a good point--the "Qualitätswein" designation is present as required by German law, but it's hidden on the back. The minimalist label also makes this wine accessible to those intimidated by long, skinny bottles and equally long German words.
Coincidentally, BusinessWeek (or now, Bloomberg BusinessWeek), designated this as their wine of the week this week. They loved the wine, calling it a "perfect 10."http://www.wineweekly.com/wine-reviews/white-wine-review-clean-slate-riesling/
Wine Weekly, a blog that doesn't seem to have been updated since 2009, points out the importer's role in presenting this wine to the American public. It's a good point--the "Qualitätswein" designation is present as required by German law, but it's hidden on the back. The minimalist label also makes this wine accessible to those intimidated by long, skinny bottles and equally long German words.
Price and Rating
Purchased at Wegmans for $9.99. Rating is an 7.5, which divided by the price results in a value of 0.75.
About Clean Slate Vineyards
I was unable to find much information about the particular vineyards used for this wine, so if you want a wine with a rich history, you'll have to look elsewhere. But if you want a consistently good, widely available German Riesling, you can't go wrong with Clean Slate.
Thanks for reading! Please drop me a note in the comments, on Twitter (@rieslingproject), or at rieslingproject@gmail.com.
