Sainsbury’s Mosel Riesling (Germany) 2001
In a recent poll on Riesling here on wine-pages, 250 people voted. Over 90% declared that Riesling was either ‘the ultimate’ white wine grape, or ‘certainly one of the best’. Yet sales of Riesling on the high street remain absolutely tiny, whilst oceans of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are lapped up. Here’s an example of a cheap, modern, just off-dry Riesling from the Mosel Valley in Germany, which might just win a few converts. 2001 is a fabulous vintage in the Mosel, and quality shines out from even a basic wine like this (note the vintage date is on the back label). The nose is deliciously inviting, with lime, lemon and hints of waxiness, and a tiny note of minerals and salts. On the palate it is has sweet, crunchy essence of fresh apple fruit. It is medium-bodied and crisp, with good lemon acidity keeping it quite dry, though there is a hint of sweetness that would make it a great match with spicy foods. Sainsbury’s £3.99
