Steep Slate, Deep Roots - Wine & Spirits Magazine

Steep Slate, Deep Roots

Tara Q. Thomas recently led five blind panels assessing Mosel rieslings, all new releases coming into the market. As always, the panels were told the vintage, the region and the variety, with no information given about producer or price. Several growers led the panel recommendations, with top scores from Thomas going, in particular, to Selbach-Oster and Weingut Franzen.

After our tastings, we got in touch with Johannes Selbach in Zeltingen, and with Angelina and Kilian Franzen to get the backstories on their top-scoring wines. For members of the site, we’ve published all of our Mosel notes in our searchable database. And, for all of our readers, we’re highlighting some of the rieslings that will bring a little sunniness through the winter. —Joshua Greene

OUR MOSEL PANELISTS INCLUDED



WINERY PROFILE

Selbach-Oster’s En-Bloc Harvests

Johannes Selbach (right) and his son, Sebastian, break from Mosel convention to achieve some of their most compelling wines.

WINEGROWER TO WATCH

Mosel Straight Up

Angelina and Kilian Franzen believe the slope at Bremmer Calmont, one of the steepest vineyards in the world, accounts for the sunny character of the wines.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

An Interview from
the Riesling Asylum

Johannes Selbach and Randall Grahm speak out from the Riesling Asylum (W&S Fall 2000).

RECIPE

Endive Braised with Grapes and Pears

Amy Loveless’s braised endives will warm you through the winter, and pair great with riesling.

MOSEL VINTAGE REPORTS