Reviewing Germany - Tasting The Mosel

The Mosel wine region of Germany is along the river valley of the Mosel River from Koblenz to Luxemburg. The climate is continental with cold winters and warm summers. Over half of the vineyard area is planted to Riesling. Some of the vineyard area is on flatter sites producing lower quality wines often from other varieties.

Black Slate Riesling 2009 -  $12
Clear, medium lemon yellow color. Clean, medium intense youthful aromas of pineapple with a touch of honey and canned vegetable. Off-dry, medium body, medium+ acidity, medium- alcohol with flavors of peach and pineapple with a medium+ length. Good/Drink now.

Dr Karl Christoffel Riesling 2010 -  $7 
Clear, pale lemon yellow color. Clean, medium- intense youthful aromas of lime and peach. Off-dry, light body, medium+ acidity, medium- alcohol with diluted flavors of green apple with a short length. Acceptable+

The region's reputation for quality comes from the historic Mittel Mosel where Riesling dominates the vineyards on steep, south-facing slopes on the famous blue Devonian and red slate soils. Many villages known for high quality Riesling are located here such as Bernkastel, Graach, Piesport and Wehlen. Much of their reputation comes from wine produced from the grapes of high quality single vineyards on the best part of the slope. Confusion, however, may occur when reading the labels where a vineyard name may follow the village name. Understand that some of the names are of high quality smaller single vineyard sites while some may be a huge grouping of vineyards with variable quality.

Grans-Fassian Piesporter Riesling Kabinett 2007 -  $24
Clear, pale lemon yellow color. Clean, medium intense developing aromas of kerosene and peach. Off-dry, medium body, medium+ acidity, low alcohol with flavors of juicy peach, citrus, honey and some minerality with a long length. Very Good/Drink now.

Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett Halbtrocken 2007 - $25  
Clear, medium straw color. Clean, medium intense developing aromas of kerosene, peach and lime. Off-dry, light body, medium+ acidity, medium alcohol with flavors of green apple and lime with some minerality with a medium+ length. Very Good/Drink now.

Markus Molitor Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Kabinett 2008 -  $15 
Clear, pale lemon yellow color. Clean, medium- intense developing aromas of kerosene and peach. Medium dry, light body, medium acidity, low alcohol with flavors of  peach and citrus with a medium- length.  Acceptable+/ Drink now.

Dr Karl Christoffel Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese 2010 -  $20
Clear, pale lemon yellow color. Clean, medium intense developing aromas of kerosene and citrus pith. Medium dry, light body, medium acidity, low alcohol with flavors of  peach and orange and a bit of minerality with a medium length. Good/Drink now.

Monchhof Robert Eymael Urzig Wurzgarten Riesling Spatlese 2009 - $30
Clear, medium straw color. Clean, medium intense youthful aromas of citrus blossom, lime and a hint of kerosene. Medium sweet, medium+ acidity, low alcohol with an orange cream medium- length finish.

Eifel-Pfeiffer Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese 2010 - $20
Clear, medium lemon yellow color. Clean, medium- intense developing aromas of citrus blossom peach and lime. Medium sweet, medium body, medium+ acidity, low alcohol with fruity flavors of ripe pineapple and peach with a bit of sweet grape flavor and a long length. Good/Drink now or hold.

Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Beerenauslese 2006 -  $30/ half bottle
 Clear, medium gold color. Clean, medium intense fully developed aromas of nectarine, pineapple and marmalade. Sweet, medium+ acidity, low alcohol with pina colada flavors, a medium+ length with a slight mineral finish. Very good/ drink now or hold.