From: Pfalz, Germany
Varietal: Riesling
Taste: Upon first sip, you're greeted with tart citrus, nectarine, and green apples in a bone-dry embrace. The aroma reveals hints of soft citrus and elegant spiciness as the wine dances on the palate. With time and air, it gains complexity and leans toward nectarine and crisp cox-orange apple, complemented by a refreshing salinity in its long finish.
Pairing: The Von Winning Riesling Extra Brut Sekt's crisp and fresh profile makes it a versatile pairing option. Enjoy it as an aperitif on warm days or pair it with antipasti, sandwiches, green salads, asparagus, avocado, artichokes, ham and melon, prosciutto, egg dishes, French fries, popcorn, tempura (see recipe below), or fried chicken for a gastronomic delight.
Vegetable Tempura
By Mark Bittman
About. As the sun sets over the sprawling vineyards of the Pfalz region in Germany, one can't help but marvel at the resurgence of the German sparkling wine, Sekt. The elegant, effervescent, and vibrant nature of Sekt has been Germany's best-kept secret for years, and it's now taking the wine world by storm. Today, let us embark on a sparkling journey with the star of the show, the Von Winning Riesling Extra Brut Sekt.
Unveiling The German Sparkle: Sekt
The term 'Sekt' is used for German sparkling wine. The country has a rich history of producing and consuming effervescent wines. In 2017 alone, Germans drank a staggering 400 million bottles of sparkling wine. Unsurprisingly, the German wine scene has evolved after years of producing primarily simple, base sparkling wines. Like Von Winning, small estates have risen to prominence by crafting exquisite, high-quality Sekt.
Sekt and Riesling: A Match Made in Heaven
Germany specializes in Sekt made from Riesling, aptly named Rieslingsekt. Riesling's freshness and lightness make it an ideal base for sparkling wine. Moreover, the rich aromatic compounds in Riesling grapes bestow these wines with fruity and aromatic characteristics.
A renowned winemaker, Joachim Ratzenberger once said, "Rieslingsekt always is very lively and sprightly. It lives off its fine aromatics. It's always invigorating, reviving and fun."
The Von Winning Legacy
The Von Winning estate is a testament to the dedication and meticulous craftsmanship of winemaker Stephan Attmann. With vineyards that boast some of the oldest parcels in Grosses Gewächs, spread across Forst, Deidesheim, and Ruppertsberg, Von Winning has mastered cultivating extraordinary vines.
This meticulous attention to detail carries through the winemaking process. Attmann's adoption of organic and sustainable viticulture, along with a gravity flow winery and minimal handling, allows for producing elegant and distinctively indigenous wines.
Von Winning Riesling Extra Brut Sekt: A Tasting Experience
The Von Winning Riesling Extra Brut Sekt is a stunning representation of Rieslingsekt. Made from various Riesling grapes grown in and around Deidesheim, this sparkling wine is rooted in chalky, loess-clay soils and red sandstone, which impart a unique terroir.
The fermentation and élevage process involves using stainless steel tanks for the first fermentation, followed by secondary fermentation in the bottle. This Sekt is then left on the lees for 24-28 months, enhancing its complexity and depth.
