WTN: When Will I Learn: Dinner at the German Embassy

Tonight was a work dinner at the German Embassy. Over forty people so the wines were nothing fabulous. A very drinkable 2006 Weil Riesling QbA Trocken and a more than respectable 2005 Sonett Heger Spätburgunder QbA Trocken "Q" which was juicy fresh and interesting enough to keep me going through several glasses.

Over schnapps and cognac I was talking with the ambassador and (like all intelligent people) he was a wine lover, although he (surprisingly) was singing the praises of dry German riesling as the best white wine in the world. Naturally I could not avoid an argument and although I love certain examples of dry German riesling, I at least wanted him to qualify his statement.

He went on to proclaim Grünhauser spätlese trocken as his example of the German Riesling Heights and 'threatened' to take me down in his cellar to open bottles and straighten me out. But as a Grünhauser fan I had to speak up for the 'sweet' spätlese and then it all got blurred in the hustle and bustle and here I am.

Oh well.

When will I learn.

Let the trocken lovers be. Leaves more sweet stuff for the rest of us.

Over schnapps and cognac I was talking with the ambassador and (like all intelligent people) he was a wine lover, although he (surprisingly) was singing the praises of dry German riesling as the best white wine in the world. Naturally I could not avoid an argument and although I love certain examples of dry German riesling, I at least wanted him to qualify his statement.

He went on to proclaim Grünhauser spätlese trocken as his example of the German Riesling Heights and 'threatened' to take me down in his cellar to open bottles and straighten me out. But as a Grünhauser fan I had to speak up for the 'sweet' spätlese and then it all got blurred in the hustle and bustle and here I am.

Oh well.

When will I learn.

So much for your career as a diplomat.

I would question the taste of anyone that drinks Schnapps.

So here is a question.

Do you find that the level of fruit varies in direct proportion to the RS in most German whites, or do you feel that the Trockens get their fair share? While I have tasted quite a few Trockens I found pleasurable, they strike me for the most part as QBA Light as far as depth and fruit are concerned - not as serious. And I sometimes feel a bit 'cheated' drinking a QMP Trocken.

To my knowledge they make a dry Spätlese. Not sure they make it all years?

Best
Fredrik Svensson, Luxembourg.

I would question the taste of anyone that drinks Schnapps.

???

You don't like any spirits?

Do you find that the level of fruit varies in direct proportion to the RS in most German whites

No.

While I have tasted quite a few Trockens I found pleasurable, they strike me for the most part as QBA Light as far as depth and fruit are concerned - not as serious. And I sometimes feel a bit 'cheated' drinking a QMP Trocken.

For my tastes, the Mosel, Saar, Ruwer are the best off-dry wines, but it is difficult to get full-bodied dry wines from there. Sure it can happen from some of the better producers, better sites, higher pradikat, etc. But if you want full-bodied trockens you will reliably find them in Franconia. No problem!

[David M. Bueker]

But if you want full-bodied trockens you will reliably find them in Franconia.

Perhaps, but the Rheingau is turning out some fantastic dry wines these days. Are they bone/Trimbach dry? NO, not always, but the best dry wines from Weil, Leitz, Kunstler, etc (not to mention certain producers in other regions with cult-like followings) are now more than compeitive at the very highest levels.

But if you want full-bodied trockens you will reliably find them in Franconia.

Perhaps, but the Rheingau is turning out some fantastic dry wines these days..

Yes, I wanted to mention that as well.

The only problem with Franken wines is that they are bloody hard to stack in any kind of cellar bin!

Use of the Bocksbeutel isn't mandatory, is it? If so, it shouldn't be, as it has to affect saleability of the wines.

he was a wine lover, although he (surprisingly) was singing the praises of dry German riesling as the best white wine in the world. Naturally I could not avoid an argument and although I love certain examples of dry German riesling, I at least wanted him to qualify his statement.

Whatever happened to de gustibus non est disputandum?

Granted, debates over preferences probably constitute most of the chatter about wine in the first place . . .

Whatever happened to de gustibus non est disputandum.

Would that he had said 'my favorite' instead of 'best'.

[James Roscoe]

Which embassy? DC? Why wasn't I invited? You are really pissing me off Rashaan!

Which embassy? DC?

Yes.

really pissing me off Rashaan!

Who?

[David M. Bueker]

James - you're not going to get invitations if you don't spell people's names correctly.

[James Roscoe]

James - you're not going to get invitations if you don't spell people's names correctly.

That way, maybe I'm pissing them off too. It's a schaudenfruede thing.

We had a really nice Rheingau this evening.

Let the trocken lovers be. Leaves more sweet stuff for the rest of us.

Salil, I haven't seen your name here before, but obviously you have been here for 2-3 weeks. Anyway, a belated welcome to the WLDG!