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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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 storyhere.
Love the Sweet life? “Wine” not try our Sweet Club!
Join us for a wine tasting event, featuring Eola Hills from Willamette Valley, Oregon with guest speaker Steve Anderson on Zoom. As Head Winemaker and General Manager, he will be guiding us through a tasting of seven Eola Hills wines:
Pinot Gris
Lucent White Pinot Noir
Riesling
Sparkling Blanc de Blancs
Patriot Red Blend
Classic Pinot Noir
Barrel Select Pinot Noir
To reserve a table and attend the wine tasting in person, please call your local WineStyles store. Or if you prefer to attend remotely, from the comfort of your home, pre-order a wine tasting kit-to-go and watch on Zoom.
About Eola Hills:
In the early 1980’s, Oregonian Tom Huggins found himself intrigued by the notion of creating great regional wines in the heart of the Willamette Valley. With close friends and family members, they invested in purchasing 35 acres that Tom thought was ideal for growing grapes. Today, Eola Hills Wine Cellars is still locally owned and operated and one of Oregon’s largest wineries, farming over 325 acres of prime vineyard land. They produce over 80,000 cases of fine wines that are enjoyed across the country and internationally, capturing the spirit and flavors of Oregon. Learn more >
About Steve Anderson – General Manager and Head Winemaker:
Steve Anderson started his wine making career at the age of thirteen with is neighbor’s grapes and a 5-gallon bucket. His project was greatly encouraged by his parents, who gladly partook in the results of his experiments. Steve continued his career by studying Horticulture at Oregon State University. Two years into his degree, he ran out of funds and joined the U.S. Army to receive the Army College Fund. After three years as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician, Steve graduated from OSU with plans to become a nurseryman. In 1993, joined the Eola Hills Wine Cellars team as a “harvest season cellar rat”. He was quickly promoted to Assistant Winemaker, and eventually became Eola’s head winemaker, producing beautiful wines for them ever since.Learn more about his story here.
Podcast with Eola Hills Winery:
WineStyles team recently hosted special guest Brett Huggins of Eola Hills Winery on our Boozie Banter podcast. We talk Oregon wine, his family winery, gleaning, moving to the Midwest and taste 8 wines from their expansive portfolio. Listen to the full broadcast on Spotify here >
Join us for a wine tasting event, featuring Marietta Cellars from Sonoma County, California, with guest speaker Scot Bilbro on Zoom. Owner and Winemaker, Scot Bilbro will be guiding us through a tasting of seven of his Marietta Cellars wines:
Old Vine Riesling
Old Vine Rosé
Old Vine Red Lot 71
Román Zinfandel
Armé Cabernet Sauvignon
Christo Red Blend
Gibson Block Syrah
To reserve a table and attend the wine tasting in person, please call your local WineStyles store. Or if you prefer to attend remotely, from the comfort of your home, pre-order a wine tasting kit-to-go and watch on Zoom.
Marietta Cellars is a family owned winery in Sonoma County. Chris Bilbro (pictured left) with winemaking roots dating back three generations, founded Marietta Cellars in 1978. Scot Bilbro (pictured right) is now the second generation Winemaker and Owner of Marietta Cellars. Applying his Viticulture and Enology training from UC Davis, Scot keeps yeast happy, manages oxygen’s interaction with the wine, and dials in the temperature range of a fermentation…but the real magic happens in the quiet moments. Hiking the vineyard rows as the fog burns off; checking grapes in the sweltering sun; in the cellar at the end of the night during harvest checking tank temperatures with the palm of his hand. He continues to lead a team that performs magic by transforming hard work, attention to detail, a blessed climate, and exceptional land into beautiful, modern wines. Learn more >
Scot Bilbro grew up admiring his father’s ability to create magic – whether it was with wine, food, or a simple game to entertain Scot and his brothers. Scot learned the ins and the outs of the family’s wine business, and after graduating from UC Davis, decided to return to the family winery to create magic of his own. Scot was uncertain and tentative, but his father gave him the confidence to create beautiful wines of his own. This second-generation winery continues to transform hard work, a blessed climate, special pieces of land, and belief into beautiful liquid expressions of family and place. Learn more here.
Let’s Taste, Learn and Enjoy® together!
Contact your local WineStyles to RSVP for this tasting event.
Join us for a virtual wine tasting event, featuring Spy Valley wines from New Zealand, with guest speaker and Chief Winemaker, Wendy Stuckey. During our virtual event, Wendy will be guiding us through a tasting of the following seven Spy Valley wines:
Satellite Sauvignon Blanc
Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc
Spy Valley E Block Sauvignon Blanc
Spy Valley Chardonnay
Spy Valley Riesling
Spy Valley Gewürztraminer
Spy Valley Pinot Noir
Be sure to RSVP at your localWineStyles locationor on Eventbrite. Pre-order your wines in advance at your local participatingWineStyles locationand taste alongside Wendy with a front seat on Zoom! Or watch on our Facebook LIVE event.
Owned and operated by the Johnson Family, Spy Valley Wines is one of Marlborough’s few remaining 100% Kiwi family owned wine companies. Located up the road from a US government listening post (the spy base), Spy Valley is known around the world as one of New Zealand’s most acclaimed producers. The Johnson Family established the first of their 380 acres of estate vineyards in 1993. Pioneering what was then a Marlborough sub-region, the Johnsons’ Lower Waihopai development continued, with the fruit being grown and sold to other wine companies. In 2000, the first vintage under the Spy Valley label was released. With a modern, fully integrated winemaking facility and a passion for excellence, Spy Valley consistently produces globally acclaimed award winning wines. Like most Marlborough wineries, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc are Spy Valley specialties but Chief Winemaker and aromatic fanatic Wendy Stuckey and her team, have set a benchmark for New Zealand aromatic whites.
“When you work land as exceptional as this, you protect it. Here at Spy Valley, we know that our environment is one of the many secrets to our success. It has sustained generations, and it is our job to nurture it for many more.” – Spy Valley WinesSince they began, Spy Valley Wines has been accredited under the New Zealand Sustainable Wine-growing scheme. This initiative promotes economically and environmentally sustainable vineyard management. For Spy Valley Wines, this includes their winery, all of their company vineyards and their grower vineyards. Learn more about their efforts here.
Wendy is an internationally acclaimed winemaker whose career has taken her all over the world. Originally from South Australia, Wendy first trained as a radiographer before deciding to switch careers and enroll at Roseworthy Agricultural College to learn about wine. Wendy strongly believes the wines must show a sense of place. Her accolades as a winemaker are prestigious and numerous, winning many gold medals and industry honors over her winemaking career. In addition to the accolades received for her wines, she has been recognized as one of the Top 20 Most Admired Winemakers in the North American wine industry and included in intowine.com Top 100 Most Influential US Winemakers. Wendy also has extensive experience as a judge in wine competitions worldwide. Learn more about Wendy and the rest of her team here.
Let’s Taste, Learn and Enjoy® together!
Contact your local WineStyles to RSVP for this tasting event.
Pale yellow color with a fine perlage. A typical bouquet with skin citrus fruits and jasmine. It presents a good structure and sapid.
Analysis: 5.5% alcohol / volume Varietal: 100% Moscato pH: 3.28 Residual Sugar: 125 g/l TA: 5.0 g/l Sulfit: 120 mg/l Harvest Date: Beginning of September Vineyard Location: 11 hectare in Costigliole d’Asti – Piemonte Oenologist: Mr. Donato Lanati Fermentation: Stainless steel tanks Bottling: Preserved at 28.4ºF Vinification: After the must has been softly pressed, it is left to ferment with selected yeasts into 50 hl. autoclaves for 8-10 days, at controlled temperature. The fermentation is stopped by cooling when the desired alcohol level is reached. When bottling, the wine is filtered through micropore sterile filters to totally eliminate any yeast. Pairing: Traditionally enjoyed with dessert, but with its low degree of alcohol, amazing sparkling fragrance, and very light sweetness; it can also be pleasant as an aperitif.
WineStyles Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section pair well with an herbal cheese, such as a gorgonzola. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.
ABOUT THE REGION: Marco Negri estate, located in the heart of Piedmont, Italy, near the town of Asti, produced its first sparkling wine in 1993. Marco Negri has received their DOCG, Italy’s highest category of production, with their Moscato grapes.
Pacific Rim Sweet Riesling Columbia Valley, Washington
NECTAR WINE STYLE
Refreshingly sweet with a lively mouthfeel. Bright Acidity. Fresh and fruity with flavors of pineapple and white peach. This Riesling is wonderfully aromatic with notes of honey, pear and orange blossom.
Analysis: 8% alcohol / volume Varietal: 100% Riesling Residual Sugar: 7% TA: 0.83% Food Pairing: Ideal with fiery fare – especially Thai, Szechwan, Mexican, Middle Eastern and Caribbean cuisine.
WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section pair well with an herbal cheese, such as a gorgonzola. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.
PRODUCTION: Pacific Rim’s Sweet Riesling is 100% Columbia Valley, WA grown. The soil is wind-blown loess on basalt bedrock. They use the purest winemaking possible – sustainably produced, all native yeasts, no oak, no malolactic. A perfect exploration of sweetness – covering the classic residual sugar spectrum of Riesling.
The winery picks their Riesling grapes early (20-21 Brix). Using only native yeasts and fermenting at low temperatures in stainless steel tanks – there is no use of oak barrels or malolactic fermentation. They stop the fermentation at about 7% residual sugar, and clean the wine rapidly to retain as much freshness and fruitiness as possible. They leave a fair amount of natural carbon dioxide in the wine to create a lively mouth feel.
ABOUT THE WINERY: First released by Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon Vineyard in 1992, Pacific Rim Dry Riesling quickly gained a loyal following among Riesling lovers. Known for its fresh and bright characteristics, the wine was a welcome alternative to over-oaked, one-dimensional white wines. As the American palate evolved in recent years toward wines with greater complexity and crisper acidity, the popularity of Pacific Rim Dry Riesling grew. Demand and enthusiasm for Pacific Rim Dry Riesling continued to gain momentum — and the excitement around the wine inspired a radical idea… the creation a winery exclusively dedicated to Riesling. In August of 2006, a small band of Bonny Doon expats moved to the Northwest from California with a common desire to craft the best Riesling in America… thus, Pacific Rim became its own winery.Learn more about the winery here.
Two Mountain Riesling is not sweet, but rather very fruity with nice acidity. The brightness of the wine, floral aromatics, and the crisp mouthfeel compliment the spice of the ginger and onion, while balancing the depth of the carrots and the freshness of the cilantro. The two together make for a perfect combination of end of summer and beginning of fall flavors.
Nestled in the Rattlesnake Hills within the Yakima Valley wine region of Washington state. Two Mountain Winery and vineyard is a family-owned operation that produces approachable, handcrafted wines that are worth saving for that special occasion, but are accessibly priced for a casual dinner with family and friends. Brothers Matthew and Patrick Rawn own and operate the winery and estate vineyard, overseeing every aspect of the winemaking process from the grapes to the glass.
This wine is an off-dry style Riesling with hints of hay, green pear, wild flowers and dust on the nose. These characteristics combine with incredible flavors of ripe citrus, green apple, and a hint of minerality. This wine lasts forever on your tongue and makes you remember why summer is so great!
Analysis: 13.0% alcohol / volume
pH: 3.18
Aging: 100% Stainless Steel Cases: 897 Critical Acclaim: Reviewed & approved by Doug Frost, Master Sommelier and Master of Wine
Join our WINE CLUB and enjoy these amazing wines and pairing recipes each month. Plus, you’ll receive 10% off all retail wine purchases!
INGREDIENTS:
• 6 pieces boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 3 cups dijon mustard
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• ½ cup maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
d’Arenberg
The Dry Dam
Riesling
McLaren Vale and ADelaide Hills, South Australia
In 1992 d’Arenberg’s neighbors built a dam in which no water lay, as it was a dry winter. The next year it rained but the dam was jinxed and didn’t hold water. Some people mix the name around, calling the wine ‘The Dam Dry Riesling,’ which in some years is truer than others. For this vintage, small batches of grapes were crushed gently, chilled and then transferred to custom designed steel basket presses. Gentle juice extraction is critical early on to retain the delicate fruit flavors. The fermentation was long and cool, and was stopped before reaching total dryness to ensure that residual sugar remains to balance the high mineral acidity. It was an excellent year for Riesling in McLaren Vale. Enjoy the heady yet delicate personality of this wine in youth or confidently cellar it.
“Fresh and vibrant with a perfumed aroma of summer florals, green apples and limes. Citrusy acidity highlights an entertaining and energetic palate.” – Chester Osborn, winemaker
Winemaker: Chester Osborn Appellation: McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills, South Australia Varietal Blend: 100% Riesling
Analysis: 10.8% alcohol / volume
Critical Acclaim: 90 pts Wine Enthusiast
Pumpkin Ravioli with Sage Browned Butter Parmesan and Pecans
INGREDIENTS:
• Salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Scant 1 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pie filling). Or substitute with cooked squash.
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for topping
• Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
• Black pepper, to taste
• 24 wonton skins (wrappers)
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 6 large sage leaves, thinly sliced plus a leaf thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup toasted pecans
Of all the grapes of Germany, Riesling is the most noble. It is a varietal that can do well in stony soil and can subsist on a minimum of moisture and frost-resistant. A very dependable bearer of high quality grapes, Riesling provide an acidity level that gives way to a racy freshness and contributes to its long life. To reach it’s full potential, Riesling needs extra days of sun, usually ripening the latter half of October. Kilburg’s harvest quantities per hectare are reduced to guarantee a selection of only top quality and healthy fruit. A cool fermentation in stainless steel tanks preserves the freshness and natural, bright fruit taste of the grapes. Pairs well with salads, crab, scallops, Indian cuisine and mild cheeses.
“Our exquisite, well-balanced Riesling combines citrus, peach and apricot aromas, a juicy mid-palate and a refreshing finish. This is an incredibly versatile wine and my favorite with Indian cuisine.” – Max Kilburg, winemaker
Winemaker: Max Kilburg Appellation: Mosel, Germany Varietal Blend: 100% Riesling
Analysis: 10.5% alcohol / volume, 8.4 g/L Total Acidity, 21.8 g/L Residual Sugar Critical Acclaim: Reviewed and approved by Doug Frost, Master Sommelier and Master of Wine
Willi Haag
Love the Sweet life?
Steve Anderson started his wine making career at the age of thirteen with is neighbor’s grapes and a 5-gallon bucket. His project was greatly encouraged by his parents, who gladly partook in the results of his experiments. Steve continued his career by studying Horticulture at Oregon State University. Two years into his degree, he ran out of funds and joined the U.S. Army to receive the Army College Fund. After three years as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician, Steve graduated from OSU with plans to become a nurseryman. In 1993, joined the Eola Hills Wine Cellars team as a “harvest season cellar rat”. He was quickly promoted to Assistant Winemaker, and eventually became Eola’s head winemaker, producing beautiful wines for them ever since.
WineStyles Tasting Station 