Bernkastel-Kueser Riesling Kabinett Halbtrocken 2002, ZIMMERMANN

The Mosel in Germany is rightly known for its Riesling wines. They come in many different expressions of this most versatile grape from bone-dry Trocken to ultra-sweet Trockenbeerenauslese. This little beauty comes nearer to the dry end of the spectrum but still has enough sweetness to give maximum pleasure. Whilst it does not have the word on the label, this is undoubtedly a Halbtrocken and has 14.5 g/L sugar content.

The wine is a golden yellow in colour and twinkles mischievously in the glass as if knowing the impact that it will have on the olfactory and gustatory senses.

On the nose there is a lot of tropical and citrus flavours, mainly mango and pineapple with lime and a hint of vanilla brought in through age rather than by oak. The sweetness is delightful and filled with temptation.

There is so much to taste in this wine. The aromas convert into flavours although the mango is not nearly so apparent, but is replaced by a childhood memory of the satsuma at the bottom of a Christmas stocking which always tasted better than any other fruit. The pineapple continues and the citrus is quite complex with lime dominating but other fruits are present, both orange and lemon. Overall there is a creamy sherbetness about this wine which is delightful. The balance of sweetness and acidity is excellent.

Indulgent on its own, this wine will pair beautifully with blue cheese or ham on the bone.