March Sweet Club: Iowa

Posted on February 24, 2023 by mcginnessalex

Schlink Haus
Riesling Kabinett
Nahe, Germany

NECTAR WINE STYLE

The Kabinett is the lightest style of Riesling, ranging from dry to off-dry. This wine is delicately sweet and refreshingly brisk.

Varietal: Riesling
Analysis: 11.5% alcohol / volume
Sugar: 26.5 g/L
Acidity: 8.2 g/L
Quality Category: Quality wine with predicate
Style: Semi-sweet
Serving Temperature: 50ºF-53.6ºF
Critical Acclaim: Wine Enthusiast – Top 100 Best Buys of 2019

Schlink Haus
Riesling Spätlese
Nahe, Germany

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Spätlese means “late harvest”. This easy-drinking wine is medium sweet in style while balanced by acidity. It carries hints of earthy minerality on the finish.

Varietal: 100% Riesling
Analysis: 9.5-11.5% alcohol / volume
Sugar: 45-50 g/L
Acidity: 5-5.5 g/L
Age of Vines: 3-30 years
Soil: Loamy, sandy and slate
Fermentation Time: 8 weeks
Temperature Range: Cold Fermentation
Fermentation Container: Stainless steel
Critical Acclaim: Wine Enthusiast – Top 100 Best Buys of 2021

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: These sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section will pair well with a soft cheese, such as a brie. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Founded in 1886 by Josef Barthelmeh, the Schlink family is now on its fifth generation of winemaking. The family has produced the blue bottle Riesling for over 200 years (well before any commercial opportunity was created) in Nahe, Germany – located between Mosel and Rhein, it is one of the smaller wine regions in all of Germany. Blessed with an extraordinary range of soil types in this region, including the entire rock cycle of igneous (volcanic), sedimentary (sandstone, clay, limestone), and metamorphic (slate) rocks. This landscape of vineyards, orchards and meadows is intercepted with cliffs and striking geological formations. Learn more here. >

Love the Sweet life?
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December Beer Club: Iowa

Posted on November 29, 2022 by mcginnessalex

Ayinger Brewery

This month, our Beer Club members will enjoy two of Ayinger Brewery’s beers, plus an Ayinger branded glass! Learn more about our December Beer Club beers below.

Ayinger Brewery
Celebrator
Doppelbock Lager
Aying, Bavaria, Germany

A rich, dark elixir with cascading layers of malt complexity balanced by elegant hops. There are notes of toffee, caramel, graceful dark-malty roasts, and the essence of barley. Lager fermentation leads to clean flavors and pinpoint conditioning. Semi-dry finish.

ABV: 6.7% alcohol / volume
Style: Doppelbock Lager
OG: 1.074
IBU: 24
Beer Style at WineStyles: Malty
Rating: 100 points on Rate Beer
Serving Suggestion: Serve in a stemmed tumbler at 50ºF. Pair with pastries and desserts, cured ham, smoked duck, wild turkey, filet with Dijon sauce, chanterelles, Tournedos Rossini, Châteubriand.

HISTORY:
Doppelbocks (“double bocks”) were probably first brewed in the 17th century by monks in Bavaria – a stronger version of bock beers that originated in Einbeck, Germany. Doppelbocks are usually rich, malty lagers; usually dark-colored; the names often end with the suffix “-ator.” Ayinger Celebrator has probably changed little from the doppelbock first brewed at Ayinger in 1878; Ayinger’s doppelbock was once called “Fortunator” but this global classic is called “Celebrator” around the world now. – Ayinger Brewery

Ayinger Brewery
Weizenbock
Aying, Bavaria, Germany

This beer has a classic Bavarian weissebeer aroma with notes of spice and cloves. It has a smooth body from the wheat that is extravagant, with pinpoint conditioning. The flavor offers the essence of the wheat harvest, and fresh-baked bread. The finish has hints of tropical fruit, cloves and banana.

ABV: 7.1% alcohol / volume
Style: Wheat Bock
OG: 1.067
IBU: 10
Beer Style at WineStyles: Fruity & Spicy
Rating: 97 points on Rate Beer
Serving Suggestion: Serve in the classic Ayinger 17-ounce “weizen swirl” glass, or an oversized wine glass. Pair with hearty German cuisine such as smoked pork chops, sauerkraut and sausages, and full-flavored game or duck. Additionally, this Weizenbock can pair beautifully with spicy Mexican or Indian cuisine, or something sweet such as an apple strudel for dessert.

HISTORY:
The weizen-bock style is relatively uncommon, even in Bavaria: they are wheat ales (weissebeer or weizen beer) that are brewed to be as strong as a bock – with corresponding fuller body, and enhanced flavors. They can be pale (“helles”) or dark (“dunkles”), but Ayinger Weizenbock is pale in color. – Ayinger Brewery

ABOUT AYINGER BREWERY:
The award-winning, family-owned brewery, Ayinger Brewery (or, Privatbrauerei Aying for German speakers) was founded in 1878 near the Alps in a 1200-year-old Bavarian village of Aying, Germany. The brewery combines their rich brewing heritage, with ingredients sourced from surrounding farms, with high-tech automation to ensure sustainable practices. They are famous for their full range of award-winning Bavarian specialty beers. Check them out on Untappd, or learn more about their company here.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR BEER CLUB >

February Bubbly Club: Iowa

Posted on January 28, 2022 by mcginnessalex

Clara Vie
Blanquette de Limoux Brut Nature
France

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

This Bubbly blend of Mauzac, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay is crystalline yellow in color with golden hues as it pours. The nose is intense with delicate scents of hawthorn and crisp green apple offsetting the nutty, pastry-like richness imparted by the extended tirage. A freshness sweeps over the palate with waves of citrus fruits, tart apple, Mirabelle plum, and golden flowers all lingering into a harmonious finish.

Varietal: 90% Mauzac, 5% Chenin Blanc, 5% Chardonnay
Terroir: 20-40 year old vines grown on gently sloping hillsides formed of calcareous clay in a Mediterranean climate
Elevation: 650 feet
Farming: Sustainable Farming
Aging: 24 months in stainless steel tanks
Bottled: At the winery
Certification: Certified Terra Vitis
Serving Temperature: Serve between 44ºF – 45ºF
Food Pairing: Enjoy as an aperitif or throughout the meal

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Clara Vie is a custom cuvée between JP Bourgeois and Françoise Antech, the sixth-generation member of Maison Antech-Limoux, a family-owned winery in France for over five centuries. Since the late 19th century, the family has been invested in the winemaking traditions of their region, taming their magical terroir to make fine sparkling wines. In 1996, Françoise stepped in to carry on the family traditions, while raising Antech to the ranks of the greatest sparkling wine makers. The secret of their character comes from a combination of Limoux’s three terroirs (the backbone of their cuvées): freshness from the Pyrenees, minerality from the ocean and roundness from the Mediterranean. Learn more here.

Von Winning
Riesling Extra Brut
Pfalz, Germany

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

This Riesling Extra Brut has a soft, citrus aroma with an elegant spiciness on the palate.

“Based largely on vintage 2016 and on grapes from Ruppertsberg (especially Linsenbusch), this offers a mouthwatering and remarkably Chablis-like evocation of salted, herbed chicken stock and oyster liquor. Walnut and peach kernel piquancy stimulate further on a brightly lemony, buoyant palate. The mousse is admirably fine, the long finish both cheek-pinching and salivainducing, irrepressibly juicy and loaded with animal as well as mineral savor…” – Vinous, Antonio Galloni; 92 points.

Varietal: Riesling
Vineyard: Selection of different vineyards in and around Deidesheim
Soil: Chalky, loess-clay soils and red sandstone
Farming: Practicing Organic
Fermentation: Stainless steel tanks used for first fermentation, then secondary fermentation in the bottle. Left on the lees for 24-28 months.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Formally called the Dr. Deinhard Estate, (now Von Winning) was founded in 1849, producing unique wines reflecting their vineyards in Ruppetsberg, Deidesheim and Forst. In 1907, Leopold von Winning, son-in-law of Dr. Andreas Deinhard, dedicated his life to creating the highest quality of wines with respect to the vineyards passed down to him. Today, Stephan Attmann and his ambitious team uphold this visionary’s tradition. Learn more about their story here.

Learn more about our Bubbly Club >

October Sweet Club Iowa

Posted on September 28, 2021 by mcginnessalex

Willi Haag
Juffer Brauneberg Auslese
Grosse Lage Riesling
Mosel, Germany

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Honeysuckle and crushed minerals give a modest introduction to this light-footed Auslese (select harvest) wine. The palate is bursting with ripe flavors of yellow-peach and pineapple. The wine’s sharp, zippy acidity lends balanced to a long finish.

Analysis: 8.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: Riesling
Region: Brauneberg, Mosel, Germany
Critical Acclaim: 91 points – Wine Enthusiast

WineStyles Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section also pair well with an herbal cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
The Willi Haag Estate has been in the family more than 500 years – now run by Marcus Haag, the grandson of Willi Haag. Marcus took over the entire management in 1997 after completing his viniculture studies. Today, Marcus combines his family’s wine-making traditions with modern viniculture approaches to produce award winning wines. Learn more about the winery and its vineyards here.

Love the Sweet life?
“Wine” not try our Sweet Club!

Click here to learn more >

August Sweet Club Iowa

Posted on July 27, 2021 by mcginnessalex

Barton & Guestier
Vouvray Passeport
Loire Valley, France

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Bright clear yellow in appearance, the Vouvray Passeport has a fruit driven nose with subtle aromas of white flowers mixed with peach, pear, pineapple and carambola. On the palate, it is well balanced between fruit and flint, with a nice, refreshing finish.

Varietal: 100% Chenin Blanc
Region: Loire Valley, France – near the town of Tours
Classification: Appellation Vouvray Contrôlée
Soil: Clay and limestone base with sandy patches, where Chenin grows its best
Climate: Oceanic, mild and humid
Vinification: Pressing of the grapes with overnight settling – controlled alcoholic fermentation to preserve residual sugar
Viticulture: Low yields, hand tending, careful selection and minimal interference in the natural ripening of the grapes
Pairing: This wine is very versatile. It can be paired well with anything from cheese to appetizers, salads, fish, barbecue, or even spicy food or curry dishes. Best served between 46ºF and 50ºF.
Critical Acclaim:

Double Gold Medal – Wine Tasting Competition (WSWA) 2016 – USA – 2015 vintage
Double Gold Medal – York World Wine & Spirits Comp 2016 (2015 vintage)
Vivino Wine Style Awards 2017
“Best Buy” – Wine Enthusiast (2014 vintage)
91 points Ultimate Wine Challenge ‘Finalist’ (2013 vintage)

WineStyles Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section pair well with an aged cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
In 1725, Irishman, Thomas Barton settled in Bordeaux, France to start is company – now, the city’s oldest active wine house. His grandson Hugh teamed up with Frenchman, Daniel Guestier, and in 1802 their partnership became official. Since then, the company has reached over 130 countries. Learn more about their story here.

BEX Winery
Riesling
Nahe, Germany

NECTAR WINE STYLE

The BEX Riesling is brilliant straw color. On the nose, there are aromas of orange blossom, lime and white grapefruit, while on the palate there are mouthwatering flavors of lime and mandarin orange. The wine finishes with notes of minerals and citrus zest.

Analysis: 10.0% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Riesling
Appellation: Nahe, Germany
RS: 2.4%
pH: 3.23
TA: .82 g/100ml
Aging: Fermented at cool temperatures (52)F-55)F), then aged in stainless steel tanks to enhance the wines fresh fruit characteristics
Closure: Twist off to preserve the zesty citrus and bright stone fruit nuances. This allows a slight effervescence to be sealed in, lifting the soft aromas out of the glass.
Pairing: Enjoy as an aperitif, pair with a light or spicy cuisine, or serve as a finale with a dessert
Critical Acclaim: Exceptional – “Best Buy” – 90 points: Beverage Testing Institute, Oct 2015

WineStyles Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section also pair well with an herbal cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

WINEMAKER NOTES – 2014 VINTAGE:
“The 2014 growing season was early and fast! Riesling shoots appeared on April 12, three weeks before the norm. Flowering was ahead of schedule and the vines ripened nicely through August when a period of strong rains occurred. Luckily Mother Nature delivered a nice dry September helping the grapes to reach full maturity. The hallmark of 2014 Riesling are sassy wines – crisp and lively with well-integrated acidity.” – BEX Winery

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Located 25 miles south of Mosel, in the Nahe (pronounced Nah-heh) region of southwest Germany; BEX Winery works to produce wines highlighting the distinct flavors of its land. Nahe is the most geologically diverse growing region in Germany. It’s known for its red slate/diverse soils, mild climate, and moderate rainfall – making distinct Rieslings with fresh fruit and floral aromas. Learn more about BEX Winery here.

Love the Sweet life?
“Wine” not try our Sweet Club!

Click here to learn more >

July Sweet Club Iowa

Posted on June 26, 2021 by mcginnessalex

Römerhof
Riesling Kabinett
Mosel, Germany

NECTAR WINE STYLE

The Römerhof Riesling Kabinett is a well-balanced young wine. It highlights flavors and aromas of peaches and citrus, and is fresh and fruity with a crisp acidity.

Analysis: 8.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Riesling
Region: Mosel, Germany
Vineyard: Very ripe Riesling grapes from the middle of the Mosel Valley of Germany are used in making this wine. These grapes are allowed to hang longer, earning the designation of ‘Kabinett’.
Pairing: The sweetness from this wine makes it a perfect pairing to aged cheeses, chicken and cream sauces.

WineStyles Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section pair well with an aged cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

WINEMAKER NOTES:
“Drought and heat as well as the fear of heavy rain were of primary concern. As in the other regions, vine development was well ahead of the average and picking started in mid-September. The grapes were healthy which brought much relief. September brought rain, but thanks to cool nights it did not lead to rot.” – Römerhof Winery

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Römerhof Winery is owned by Heinz Eifel, whose family has been producing wines in the heart of the Mosel Valley for over 400 years. Based in the village of Trittenheim, Heinz works closely with his winemaker daughter, Anne Eifel-Spohr, to produce award winning Rieslings. Learn more about their history here.

Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery
Semi-Dry Riesling
Finger Lakes, New York

NECTAR WINE STYLE

A delicate Semi-Dry Riesling initially, then rounding out to be tropically ripe. It is brimming with notes of apricot, nectarine, and a hint of pineapple. Flavors of citrusy lemon and acacia blossom balance the sweetness effortlessly.

Analysis: 11.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Riesling
RS: 22 g/L
pH: 3.11
TA: 7.0 g/L
Vineyard: Seneca and Keuka Vineyards
Vinification: De-Stemmed. Direct Press.
Vessel: Stainless Steel. Temperature Controlled.
Fermentation: Traditional. No Malolactic Fermentation.
Élevage: Unoaked. Aged 5 months on the lees.
Dryness: Semi-Dry. 2.2% Residual Sugar
Pairing: Enjoy with Middle Eastern, Moroccan, Thai or Asian cuisines. This wine pairs exceptionally well with ingredients such as pepper, ginger, curry, sesame, soy, spicy BBQ, and pork.

WineStyles Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section also pair well with an herbal cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

WINEMAKER NOTES:
“Budbreak and flowering started about two weeks later than normal. Temperatures during the summer were moderate, August and September were cooler than average. Luckily, the weather in the fall was extremely favorable with extended periods of sunny and dry days followed by cool nights. This offered excellent conditions to fully ripen the grapes well into October.

Riesling was first brought to the Finger Lakes by our founder. Those original vines dating back to 1958 are still in production. Riesling blocks on our Keuka vineyard were planted in 1958, 1962, 1968, 1976, 1999, 2006, and 2012 with various clones (88, 90, 11, 318, 239, 49, 110, 38). Soils here are shallow, shale-based which add minerality, acidity, and elegance. Riesling was planted in 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2012 on our Seneca estate vineyard with 90 and 356 clones. Temperatures here are a few degrees warmer than Keuka, thus providing riper fruit notes. Soils on Seneca are characterized by deep Honeoye silt loam.” – Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery is a family owned and operated winery situated on the southwestern hills of Keuka Lake. In 1958, Dr. Konstantin Frank planted his first Vinifera vines, igniting the “Vinifera Revolution” – forever changing the course of winemaking in New York. Four generations later, the Frank family continues to grow their winery throughout the Finger Lakes region. Learn more about their story here.

Love the Sweet life?
“Wine” not try our Sweet Club!

Click here to learn more >

German Beer Video Round-Up!

Posted on September 19, 2016 by Ashleigh Rader

Oktoberfest is already in full swing in Germany! Spruce up on your beer knowledge and check out these informative and fun videos about German beer. Prost! (Cheers!)

Video 1 German Beer – Centuries of Tradition

This video talks in-depth about the German brewing economy. It details how much beer is sold in Germany each year, and the number of breweries the country has. (Statistics as of 2013). You’ll hear from a Professor of Biotechnology from Berlin’s Technical University, as well as a student in the field, and how they feel about the ongoing use of the German Beer Purity Law, “das Reinheitsgebot”. Enjoy the views of Oktoberfest tents and crowds towards the end. It really is a big celebration!

Video 2 – Top 10 German Beer Styles

This video gives a great overview of the 10 most common German beer styles. The host, from Beerland Diaries, also peppers in some great German beer-drinking cultural norms, such as the two-man beer race called “Bierkasten Rennen”, and how to properly toast with a Weizen.

Video 3 – Beer Geek – Germany Part 1: The Reinheitsgebot

This third video is very approachable, from an avid beer-drinker and self-proclaimed “beer geek”, Oli Haydon. Oli will walk you through the Berliner Weisse beer style, as well as the German Beer Purity Law and what it means in Europe today. If you want to continue learning about German beers, follow Oli’s YouTube channel here as he continues with his series on German Beer.

Video 4 – Ein Prosit – Oktoberfest Song Karaoke

Now for a German beer drinking song! Oktoberfest isn’t complete without crowds of people sloshing around huge beer steins loudly singing together traditional German beer-drinking songs. This one is often heard in large Oktoberfest tents in Munich, and all over Germany. It’s titled, “Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit” which roughly translates to “A Toast to Good Cheer”.

“Ein Prosit”, means “A Toast”, but “Gemütlichkeit” is one of those untranslatable words from German to English. It isn’t just one thing. It’s cheer, and warmth, and belonging, and acceptance all rolled into one – rather fun to pronounce – word.

Of all the German beer drinking songs, you’re sure to hear this one should you visit Germany for Oktoberfest. It helps keep the party going, because each time it’s played, guests are invited to stand up, toast each other, and chug!

Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit – German lyrics:

Ein Prosit, ein Prosit
Der Gemütlichkeit
Ein Prosit, ein Prosit
Der Gemütlichkeit
OINS! ZWOI! DREI! G’SUFFA!

A Toast to Good Cheer – English lyrics:

A toast, a toast
To cheer and good times
A toast, a toast
To cheer and good times.
ONE! TWO! THREE! DRINK UP!

Thanks for reading, and Happy Oktoberfest! Prost!

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Tag Archives: Germany

March Sweet Club: Iowa

Schlink Haus
Riesling Kabinett
Nahe, Germany

Schlink Haus
Riesling Spätlese
Nahe, Germany

Love the Sweet life?
“Wine” not try our Sweet Club!