Staff Picks

With vines cultivated at the limit of their endurance in the cool north, from the sheer slate banks of the Mosel to the castle-topped hills of the Rheingau, and with a heritage stretching back to Roman times, German riesling comes with an enviable pedigree.

Obsessive dedication to terroir is born out by meticulous vineyard classifications every bit as detailed as those of their Burgundian peers, but fortunately for us the wines command only a fraction of the price.

Riesling is as versatile as it is thrilling with racy acidity, minerality and transparent clarity on the one hand and consumately charming stone fruit aromatics on the other, allowing for dry and sweet expressions that are equally compelling.

Whether you are already a card-carrying riesling fan or are just curious what all the fuss is about, there is no better moment to get stuck in.

Bischofsliches Weinguter Trier DOM Riesling Halbtrocken 2020, Mosel

From the episcopal wine cellar in Trier, this comes from a variety of historic vineyards across the region and shows the finesse, aromatic delicacy and weightless character so typical of Mosel riesling. Just off dry the sweetness is admirably balanced by racy acidity and gives a lingering impression of peach and lime zest. Great with Thai and Vietnamese dishes.

Schloss Lieser Niederberg Helden Riesling Spätlese 2016, Mosel

Run by Thomas Haag, son of Wilhelm, the don of Fritz Haag winery, Schloss Lieser owns prime plots of Mosel Valley land principally in the excellent Niederberg Helden vineyard. Truly heroic wines are produced here, blessed with superb ripeness and outstanding quality in great years. The 2016 is vibrant, pure with pleasingly earthy overtones. This is deep, serious stuff softened by some botrytis and bottle age.

Wagner Stempel Riesling Trocken Porphyr 2016, Rheinhessen

A glorious dry riesling grown on volcanic soils, displaying fresh honey, ripe lime, flat peach and a twist of orange zest, this shows terrific concentration, freshness and intensity through the palate and is frankly an absolute steal at this price. Yet more evidence that German riesling with bottle age from a good producer is one of the best value bottles out there!