Monday, August 14, 2006

Alsace Riesling

Pierre Sparr Riesling 2004
Northeastern France’s Alsace region
Serve chilled
12.5% alcohol
$17.93 for 750 ml

Think all Rieslings are sweet? Not the ones from Alsace (which turns out some great whites). Here, the German-influenced wines are dry. This pale yellow Riesling has crisp, clean floral, green apple and lime aromas. Slightly tart, with a nice acidity, it’s refreshing with green apple and citrus flavours, with hints of peach and mineral. I found it very limey! Just the thing for a hot summer afternoon. Medium bodied, it goes down cool and smooth.

It’s an aromatic, light summer wine. Though it’s good, it’s nothing spectacular, but it's well worth the $18 bucks you’ll shell out for it (Ahhh, BC liquor prices suck!), especially if you like your whites fruit forward.

You can drink it now or within 3-5 years. Try it with seafood, pork, stir frys, quiche or Gouda cheese.

Santé!