| I had never even heard of the Scheurebe grape | | | | review. |
| until I read a fascinating book, Papilles et Molecules | | | | At the first sips the wine was absolutely delicious. |
| by one of Canada's (Quebec's) top sommeliers | | | | What a combination of sweetness and acidity. |
| and wine authors, Francois Chartier. This book | | | | The first pairing involved slowly cooked beef ribs |
| opens new vistas in wine and food pairings. | | | | that were accompanied by sliced potatoes and |
| Chartier is a proponent of this grape variety, | | | | overly spicy salsa containing tomato, onion, lime, |
| which he identifies as a fraternal twin of | | | | cilantro and green peppers. The wine was strongly |
| Gewuertztraminer and a cousin of Sauvignon | | | | present when dealing with the fatty meat. It's |
| Blanc. It is a cross between Riesling and, in spite | | | | sweetness was not a problem. The dominant |
| of the marketing materials quoted below, an | | | | taste was grapefruit. It became more acidic with |
| unknown grape variety. Between you and me, | | | | the potatoes. The lime in the wine joined the lime |
| grape crosses are usually not all that good. Note, | | | | in the salsa, taming its spiciness. Dessert was |
| the word usually. Let's give this grape variety a | | | | orange-flavored fruit candy, which managed to |
| chance. In the interest of full disclosure, I recently | | | | mute the wine which also lost acidity. I was out of |
| translated Chartier's book into English and will be | | | | wine and there was still some candy left. But |
| writing more about it once the book is published. | | | | there was no way that I would waste the wine |
| The Pfalz is a very special area in southwestern | | | | on this candy. |
| Germany near the border with Alsace, France. | | | | The next meal was much more traditional for a |
| Like Alsace, this is wine country. There is a great | | | | sweet white wine; namely barbecued chicken with |
| wine road for exploring the local production. You | | | | potatoes that was roasted in chicken fat and a |
| may want to visit Neustadt and its wine suburbs. | | | | moderately spicy oriental tomato salad. The |
| In this lucky part of the world October means the | | | | Scheurebe was very fine and mouth filling with a |
| Deutsches Weinlesefest (German Wine Harvest | | | | fine combination of sweetness and acidity when |
| Festival) complete with a German Wine Queen | | | | facing the chicken breast. It helped make up for |
| and a parade with one hundred floats. | | | | the meat's dryness. The results were essentially |
| Before reviewing the Pfalz wine that we were | | | | the same with a tastier, moister chicken leg. With |
| lucky enough to purchase at a local wine store, | | | | the potatoes the wine's acidity increased, great |
| here are a few suggestions of what to eat with | | | | for washing down that (delicious) grease. The |
| indigenous wines when touring this beautiful region. | | | | wine became longer when paired with the salad. |
| Start with Schonhof Pfaennchen (Ham Gratin in | | | | The last meal centered on a portobello mushroom |
| Brandy Cream Sauce). For your second course | | | | omelet. The Scheurebe was sophisticated and |
| enjoy Rumpsteak mit Bratkartofflen (Beef Steak | | | | powerful, a little bit went a long way. This wine is |
| with Home Fried Potatoes). And for dessert | | | | elegant. Dessert was a high-quality French-style |
| indulge yourself with Basilihumels (Basil Ice Cream). | | | | lemon pie with a very buttery crust. The wine |
| OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we | | | | was thinner, but still delicious. |
| taste and review are purchased at the full retail | | | | I finished the tastings with Matjes herring followed |
| price. | | | | by two local cheeses. With the herring the wine |
| Wine Reviewed | | | | was long and pleasantly sweet with a lime taste. |
| Pfeffingen Scheurebe Spaetlese 2007 11.0% | | | | When facing a brick cheese this Scheurebe |
| alcohol about $21 | | | | retained its pleasant sweetness and some |
| Let's start by quoting the marketing materials. | | | | grapefruit taste. In the presence of tastier Swiss |
| Description: Scheurebe is a wonderful grape | | | | cheese the wine tasted of lemon and honey. |
| variety to explore. A crossing of Riesling and | | | | Final verdict. This is a definite yes. I am developing |
| Silvaner, this variety was developed by (and is | | | | a taste for high-quality Germanic sweet wines and |
| named after) famed viticulturalist Dr. Georg Scheu. | | | | this is one of the best that I have tasted in a long |
| The grape thrives in sandy soils, so Pfeffingen's | | | | time. I would suggest that you give this, or |
| sand- and limestone-rich Ungsteiner Herrenberg | | | | perhaps some of its lower priced cousins that I |
| vineyard is an ideal home. This wine expresses | | | | have reviewed recently a chance. You may be |
| rich grapefruit, lime and mineral character. Its | | | | pleasantly surprised. And gone are the prejudices |
| moderate sweetness is balanced by racy acidity, | | | | against hybrid grape varieties. |
| leading to a lip-smacking finish. And now for my | | | | |