Not being a huge fan of white wines with a high acidic content, or the sour tang of Pinot Grigios and Sauvignon Blancs, I was delighted to have my first real encounter with a Riesling not too long ago. And St.Urbans-hof is everything you expect a Riesling to be. Headed by Nik Weis, who inherited the estate from his family, this semi-dry wine is perfect on its own or as a precursor to a more intense red wine later on in the meal. The slight carbonation paired with the citrus and floral notes make for a refreshing wine, while the mineral nose adds balance and nuance and a clean finish. Unlike many red wines, Rieslings do not necessarily have to be aged or tucked away in a cellar, but are ideal for opening up right away after they have been chilled.
St. Urbans-hof is composed of grapes grown in the slaty Mosel Valley in Germany—described as one of the best terroirs to harvest Riesling grapes. St.Urbans only runs you $13 at Joe Canals on Route 1, making this particular wine an excellent value for its quality. With only a 10% alcohol content this bottle won't knock you off your feet, but is an excellent way to kick off an afternoon-into-evening of casual drinking. This wine is best served cold or on the rocks and is a perfect gateway wine into the Riesling's German brother: Gewürztraminer. St.Urbans is also a good fit if you think sweet wines such as Plum or Honey wine are just a little bit too syrupy.
Type: Riesling
Prince: Reasonable ($11-$16)
Food Pairing: Asian fare (Indian, Thai, Malaysian etc.) But honestly there's nothing better than a few ripe fruits (such as clementines and apples to pair this bottle with)
Cheese Pairing: Things that have a soft rind, such as a goat milk brie (Trader Joe's has a really good one for only $2.95), Munster (the French version)
Occassion: Anytime and with anyone. Grab a few glasses and a blanket, and try the field behind Gibbons on Douglass campus.
*This review also appears in this week's issue of the Johnsonville Press
*Mike Stuzynski contributed to this article.
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