Tasting - Dr. Loosen, Blue slate

 

Name: Dr. Loosen, Riesling Kabinett

Variety: Riesling Kabinett

Region: Mosel Valley

Country: Germany 

Year: 2021

Price: $25

Winery review: "A crisp, juicy, estate-grown riesling that captures the racy-mineral-infused style of the steep blue slate vineyards in the Mosel valley. Tasty on its own, or with spicy foods."

Wine Folly: According to page 158 Riesling is "An aromatic white variety that can produce white wines ranging in style from bone-dry to very sweet. Germany is the world's most important producer of Riesling." Stating that the wine should also be served slightly chilled, and can stay in a cellar for 5-10 years. Wine folly also says that it should have notes of lemon, green apple, beeswax, jasmine, and petroleum.

My review: This wine is one of my favorite rieslings that I have had. It leads with an interesting peach flavor, with a crisp acidity yet being super light-bodied at the same time. I drank this wine on its own and was excited to have a bottle to myself. I ended up buying a few more to share with friends later. I was told that this wine goes very well with spicy Asian cuisine and I can definitely see why!

Tasting - Henriques & Henriques Madeira Boal

 

Name: Madeira Boal

Variety: Malvasia

Region: Madeira

Country: Portugal

Year: 10 Year old

Price: $49.99

Winery review: "A dark amber-coloured wood with greenish nuances. Full and soft body, with a medium sweet taste to raisins, honey, and some wood. A fresh and rich wine that offers a long and pleasant finish."

Wine Folly: According to page 124 of wine folly, Madeira is an oxidized and fortified dessert wine, that is made exclusively on the Portuguese Island of Madeira. They also state that it will age over 100 years. They also state that it is a popular choice for reduction sauces because of its strong walnut flavors and that it pairs very well with artichokes, pea soup, and asparagus. According to the tasting notes, there are notes of burnt caramel, walnut oil, peach, hazelnut, and orange peel. Wine folly says that you should pay around $43 for a bottle, which is around what I paid for mine; I also drank it slightly chilled at around 55 degrees, using a dessert glass. 

My review: I drank this wine on its own for this review, and it was really nice! The Madeira that I had was very sweet and jammy; this wine was sweet yet also super acidic. It was also brownish in color. Speaking with a friend of mine who recommended this to me, he stated that he normally has a glass or two of this with a cigar, his go-to being Cohiba black.