I just had the fortune to visit one of the most beautiful wine regions in the world. The Mosel in the fall with the 2012 riesling grapes continuing to ripen to the delight of the wine makers and vineyard owners. Riesling is a noble wine in my opinion and the depth of its complexity and variances continue to amaze me.
It's unfortunately one of the most complicated wine labeling in the world. If you want to tantalize your palate, find a wine to lay down for decades, need a white wine to pair with heavier dishes, or a fruity wine to pair with Asian food or would like some sweet wine with acidity and complexity to rival all others than Riesling can deliver. Just ask someone at the wine shop or your mobile internet to help you better read the labels so that you get the intended dryness or sweetness that you are looking for.
Many awe inspiring properties were visited but I wanted to talk about one them Weingut Reinhold Haart since their wines are available locally. Johannes Haart the son of Karl-Theo Haart gave us an extraordinary presentation. This property is located in Piesport, on the banks of the Mosel river and the Goldtropfchen vineyards begin their steep climb right behind the family house. There are no words to describe the magic of this region except to experience the slate, the river and the intense flavors brought on by the long ripening of the grapes except by paying homage to the wine and drinking it.
Weingut Reinhold Haart is a few steps from the house where the remains of the first and oldest Roman grape pressing house that has been unearthed along the Mosel. Every year they have a festival to celebrate and I was lucky to attend on that one perfect fall day Oct 13, 2012.
The wines we tasted were varied and all had a freshness that was remarkable. With balanced sugar and acidity you felt like drinking the wines. Johannes was telling us how the night before they had opened multiple decades old vintages in celebration of the Roman Press festival and how he was continuously amazed that the freshness remained even though the aging brought great complexity to the wines.
Riesling is not the easiest wine to understand or find here in Boston but it is a wine that over delivers in every way. Riesling from the Mosel which is probably the most interesting & complex wine growing regions of the world will absolutely stun you. Fall is the perfect time to pair this wine with your favorite dishes like pumpkin soup, turkey and apple strudel to name a few but the list can go on.
Here in Boston you can find Weingut Reinhold Haart wines in some stores, I like to use wine-searcher to help me locate the wine. If you find some than make sure you take a moment to really taste the slate, the sun, the river, the history and of course the delight of the drink itself.
