Mosey to the Mosel: Refreshing Rieslings. Plus, Try One for Free

The Mosel. The name of a region and a river and a home to some of the world’s best Riesling. Three fun things to know:

1 Riesling is the grape most associated with Germany, with records dating to the fifteenth century, when the Ming Dynasty ruled China. (Viticulture in the Mosel region goes back about two millennium thanks to the ancient Romans.)

2 More than 60 percent of Mosel vineyards feature Riesling. And the grapes grow on quite steep slopes. How steep? One is angled at a dizzying 65 degrees. (If they decide to make ice wine, they can ski down the slopes to grab the grapes!)

Mosel. Source/germanwinesusa.com

3 Riesling reached its peak status in the nineteenth century, when it ranked among the world’s most-sought and expensive wines, on par with the best of France.

Riesling is now found far from Germany, including in China. Visit the museums of wine producer Changyu and will find old Riesling labels!

Riesling labels at Changyu's museum

Source/Jim Boyce

Now, let’s get drinking.

Such Riesling offers ample refreshment on these increasingly hot days. Cool, crisp and fairly low in alcohol—typically between 8 percent and 12 percent--they are a pleasant way to chill out.

GIF/gifgy.com

Konigsmosel Riesling 2019

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CHEERS’ Konigsmosel Riesling 2019 is aromatic, with ripe pear and apple aromas and flavors. 

You can get a whiff of white flowers and citrus, too. In the mouth, this wine is juicy, with a pleasantly balanced sweetness.

Donatushof Saar Riesling Trocken

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Donatushof Saar Riesling Trocken by Michael Frank gets its fruit from vineyards found along the Saar, a river that is a tributary to the Mosel and also weaves between steep banks. 

It’s drier—“trocken” means dry in German—and leaner than Konigsmosel, with minerality and citrus at the finish.

You can try this one on May 26, 6PM for free at the mini-wine school held at all CHEERS shops.

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