Christie Kiley on February 24, 2014 0 Comments Quick Characteristics Winery: Müller-Catoir Location: Germany Vintage: 2011 Without fail there is not a week that goes by without someone asking me what my favorite wine is. How does one answer that? You would think I could have just figured out a pre-rehearsed response by now. Actually, as I write this, in this very moment, I think that was the first time I thought of doing as such. Maybe I can work on that monologue a bit later today, after some further inspiration from my second cup of coffee. No, but seriously, how would you answer that? There are many people who without second thought or even seconds to follow, who know their favorite wine. Me? I just find that question way too broad to give a justified response. However, a general inquiry deserves a general reply. So, my answer: German whites. The love affair with German whites started a few years ago when I was taking my second level sommelier course. I wasn’t always a white wine lover, but after a review and education of Germany and their wines, the terroir, their history, geography and so forth, I was hooked and more than intrigued. Most somms might go on and focus on regions of France such as Bordeaux and Burgundy. Eh, those were too common-place, though great wines they are, but I wanted more on Germany. For those of you who have yet to venture into the German white zone, I urge you to do so soon, even if you don’t typically like white wine. They are just as I said, intriguing. In case you casual wine snobs never figured out the meaning of terroir via the wine glass, this wine and many others from the region will help you find your epiphany. There are about thirteen wine regions in Germany with literally thousands of producers to choose from. If you head to your local wine merchant in search for one of these great finds, reading and trying to understand the label, or even pronouncing it might be enough to make anyone walk away and go for the old stand-by. Don’t do it! Just grab a bottle, or at least this one, the Müller-Catoir, Pfalz Haardt Riesling Kabinett Trocken 2011, or check with the sales guy. If you can’t pronounce it, just hand them a note or pull this review up on your smartphone. But to at least get you out the door to go purchase it, here’s the low-down on the label. The great thing about the Germans is that they are all very detailed-oriented. It is no accident that they are such great car engineers and designers. Everything you need to know is on the label, it just takes a little translating. You can Google most of it. The grape? Riesling. This is their national grape, so it will be one of their best. The producer? Müller-Catoir. It is from the Pfalz region, one of the most renowned regions for fabulous whites and Haardt is the sub-region. The term Kabinett, which actually comes from the German word for ‘cabinet’, was a term used for the locals’ wine which they stored in their cabinets. It also is the first level of wines or classification that falls in their Quality mit Pradikat level. That’s a good thing. ‘Troken’ is German for ‘dry’, therefore there is no residual sugar in this wine, just in case you had a notion that all German Rieslings were sweet. Now that you’ve gotten a little German Wine 101, let’s get to the wine, shall we? Can I just say? It is awesome! I was sort of singing and lengthening out the ‘-some’ part of awesome as I was writing it just then. The aromas and perfumes are never-ending. I’m talking fresh cut ginger, lemongrass, curry spice, some light tropical fruit and minty-ness. Give it a second or third swirl and you get something like grease that takes you back to switching out the breaks in your driveway as a kid with your Dad. Well, that’s what I got. I hope by now you really want to try this! (I might not need that second cup of coffee for further inspiration after-all.) The palate is light, but sharp and racy and did I mention awesome? C’mon, sing it with me. The bright fruits of Asian pear, minerality and crisp acidity with lingering exotic perfumes will have you hooked! I’m done. More Wine Reviews: Cakebread Cellars Red Hills 2010 Zinfandel 2012 Oakville Sauvignon Blanc from Flora Springs Winery 2012 Cape Bleue Rosé from Jean-Luc Colombo Roederer Estate Brut
