Split Rock Lighthouse Riesling

Split Rock Lighthouse Riesling is a nice novelty wine featuring a local landmark, but the wine is left to be desired.  The bottle pictures the Split Rock Lighthouse on the shores of Lake Superior.  The wine is a dry with a strong sour lemon aroma and flavor.  It would be a great compliment to a savory baked fish dinner, if you like drier wines.  If you are looking for more the typical Riesling - clean, crisp, and not awful sweet, this may not tickle your fancy.

Varietal:  Riesling

Producer/Importer:  Split Rock Lighthouse           

Region:  Rheinhessen Germany

Vintage: 2011

Price: $11.95

Tasting notes:

 Sight (Color/Clarity): Medium yellow gold

 Smell (bouquet, aroma): Sour lemons

Taste (acidity, balance, body): Dry, tart-sour

Bottle presentation: Picture of the Split Rock Lighthouse on the shores of Lake Superior

Overall rating (1-10): 8

Date consumed: November 14, 2012

Flip Flops Riesling

Flip Flop Riesling was a flop in our book.  It started out very sweet but burned like cheap alcohol.  We didn’t reach any of the flavors described by the wine’s label.  As fun as this label maybe, we think we will leave this one at the store rather than take it to the beach. Which is unfortunate because with each Flip Flop wine bottle purchased someone in need is receiving a pair of flip flops through the Soles4Sols international shoe charity.

Varietal:  Riesling     

Producer/Importer:  Flip Flop         

Region: Washington

Vintage: 2010

Price:

Tasting notes:

 Sight (Color/Clarity): nearly colorless

 Smell (bouquet, aroma):sugar

Taste (acidity, balance, body): burns like a cheap alcohol, starts sugary sweet

Bottle presentation: fun beachy look

Label description: “Medium-bodied, complex Riesling with peach, apricot and melon which leads to a satisfying, smooth finish. Tropical notes and sweet aromas pair well with tofu stir-fry, shredded pork tacos and sashimi. Serve chilled now or store away from direct sunlight for up to 1 year after purchase.”

Overall rating (1-10): 5

Date consumed: April 11, 2012

Comments: 12.0% Abv. Totally flops

Wiseman IQ Riesling

Wiseman IQ Riesling is everything a Riesling is expected to be: a well balance of tart apples and citrus, with a delicate sweetness that is not sugary.  It is crisp, clean and refreshing. 

I say Wiseman IQ Riesling is everything a Riesling is expected to be as it fits the Riesling stereotype. Rieslings are often thought to be a “sweet” wine.  In reality Rieslings are quite variable. Rieslings are often high in acidty, low to medium alcohol levels, and flavors range from fruity to flowery to earthy. Many are dry as indicated by the word trocken on German Rieslings. German Rieslings are often marked with a QbA or QmP to indicate a grower's reputation.  Wines without such distinction maybe mass produced.  The more prestigious of wines are given a Pradikat.  There are six levels of Pradikat which range from least ripe to ripest: Kabinett, Spatlese, Auslese, Beernauslese (BA) Eiswein, and Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA).  The three highest levels of Pradikat are an indication of the amount of sugar at time of harvest, and directly indicate sweetness.  However, one cannot assume the degree of sweetness between the three lower levels.

Varietal: Riesling 

Producer/Importer: Wiseman IQ    

Region: Mosel Germany

Vintage: 2010

Price: $9.99

Tasting notes:

 Sight (Color/Clarity): light straw yellow

 Smell (bouquet, aroma): musty earth

Taste (acidity, balance, body): tart, clean, crisp, sweet but not sugary

Overall rating (1-10): 9

Date consumed: March 14, 2012

Comments: 9.8% abv

Apothic White

We loved Apothic Red, We love Apothic White!  A blend of Chardonnay, Riesling and Moscato gives this white blend something for everyone and is sure to satisfy almost all palates.  This wine starts out with the sweet honey and fruit flavors of the Moscato.  The Riesling gives you a crisp, clean and refreshing flavors of citrus and apples.  The smooth buttery chardonnay finishes this wine nicely. 

Varietal:  White blend: Chardonnay, Riesling, and Moscato

Producer/Importer:  Apothic White

Region: California

Vintage: 2010

Price: $9

Tasting notes:

 Sight (Color/Clarity): straw yellow

 Smell (bouquet, aroma): vanilla

Taste (acidity, balance, body): hot totti- lots of honey, hint of citrus and tropical fruit, smooth buttery finish of a chardonnay.

Bottle presentation:

Label description:

Comparisons: Sweet like a moscato and Riesling but finishes dry like a chardonnay

Overall rating (1-10): 9

Date consumed: March 14, 2012

Comments: Would pair well with brie with walnuts, 12.0% ABV