German Riesling wine is so good, especially with a picnic

German Riesling (Image: Archant)

Throughout July we run a great promotion of '31 Days of German Riesling' celebrating all things floral, spicy, sometimes dry, sometimes sweet from all regions of Germany made from this brilliant grape variety.

In my opinion, German Riesling is thoroughly underrated.

Imagine a really good summer picnic - ham, salami, paté, pork pie, cheese, grapes, lemon tart…If you wanted a glass of wine to match all of these, one that makes you sit back and go 'Ohhhhhhh that's SO good' then it's worth picking up a bottle of German Riesling (as an added bonus, they are generally lower in alcohol than many other lunchtime whites.

German Riesling isn't necessarily sweet.

German Riesling (Image: Archant)

Louis Guntrum is the 11th generation winemaker and sole owner of Louis Guntrum Estate, which lies on the banks of the Rhine.

He produces a dry Riesling, full of fresh lime and citrus aromas and a ripe, rounded mouthful of fruity flavours. It makes a brilliant food and wine match and I can't tell you how fast it disappears out of the wine glass…pure magic!

If you like a sweeter style, Romerhoff Weinkelleri create a Mosel that has a touch of summer honey on the palate.

The steep banked slopes and the convoluted, looping course of the Moselle river ensure the vineyards get lots of sun and the soil retains the heat, thereby helping the grapes to fully ripen.

The fruit acquires a mineral tang from the soil in this area, which adds an extra layer of flavour to the wine.

Both of course (and more) available from Christopher Piper Wines online and in our shop in Ottery St Mary.

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