Clean Slate Riesling (2007)On recommendation from Crighton, one of the friendly specialists at my local Whole Foods, I snagged a bottle of Clean Slate to pair up with some Pad Thai. Eagerly he chilled a bottle and let me sample it in the store, and I definitely knew I'd be writing about it before long. Now later in the week I've got a new bottle and some notes to share (well, I might not share the bottle...)
Clean Slate Wines
Riesling
Mosel, GERMANY
Appearance: Clear, pale lemon yellow with a little pétillance, or effervescence.The very subtle sweetness this Riesling has made it a perfect pairing for my Pad Thai with a little spiciness and fresh basil and lime tossed in. However, I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys a dry Riesling - this definitely is refreshing and crisp given the lively acidity to balance it.
Nose: Clean with light to medium intensity. Youthful aromas including green apple, lemon, lime, pineapple, slate, and anise star.
Palate: An off dry wine - 2.8% residual sugar - with medium acidity, body and light alcohol. Intense fruit flavors characteristic of the variety including apple, citrus, and lime. Also some pear, orange, and floral notes finished with a soft minerality.
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The label - which would certainly appeal to any minimalist - is also notably cool. A narrow band of paper depicting a stylized (to look like slate of course!) aerial of the Mosel River makes the bottle look like it's wearing a pair of skinny legged jeans. The Mosel region, taking it's name from the river is home to some of the world's best Rieslings. Zoom out on the map above to get a better idea of how the river winds through wine country. The southern facing slopes are where the best grapes are grown.
The region used to be known as the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, but apparently that wasn't very "consumer friendly." Granted yes, most bottles of wine imported from Germany have horribly confusing labels, it'd be hard to go wrong with many of their Rieslings. "Americanizing" labels is understandably easier to market, but I have to say that as Americans (or anyone outside of a given country) we should make the effort to be a little more educated about these things. And if you can't read a label then ask for help, you might miss out on some great wines otherwise. While you're practicing your Deutsche though you can safely enjoy this wine.
Cheers!
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2 comments:
Ja, das smecht gut wenn das essen ist nicht zu heiss. Wenn es heiss ist, dann Gewurztraminer bei mir ist besser. Zum Wohl!
Sweet is a category i had admittedly settled all Rieslings into, which was quite happily disproved when i opened this bottle. armed with a recipe that called for a "dry white" i was suggested this by two people i happily trusted (the people at Anderson's, and Ryan himself ^_^) It was very much as described here, and blended itself quite nicely with both my butternut squash risotto and the chicken cacciatore that i used it in for my first dinner party! (a success i might add) I was actually quite sad when the lovely smell from the stove went away.
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