Kann ich mehr Riesling bitte?
Our first encounter with a well-aged Riesling – that unmistakable citrus lift, racy acidity and faint whisper of petrol – sparked something close to Torschlusspanik (the fear that time is running out). If it had taken us this long to realise how complex, layered and compelling Riesling can be, what else might we be missing?
Despite its reputation, Riesling is not necessarily sweet. While historically associated with sweetness, many of today’s finest examples are made in a dry to off-dry style, defined by vibrant acidity, crystalline fruit and remarkable ageing potential. Thanks to that natural acidity, Riesling evolves beautifully in bottle, developing texture and complexity while retaining freshness.
Beyond Germany and Alsace, the New World has become an exciting frontier for Riesling, particularly in cool-climate regions. Places like Elgin in South Africa allow grapes to ripen slowly, preserving acidity and giving winemakers exceptional control over sugar levels – producing wines of precision and mineral clarity.
Which brings us to Spioenkop.
Founded by Belgian winemaker Koen Roose, the estate sits on steep, unforgiving slopes in Elgin where the soils are famously “poor, poor, poor” (in Roose’s own words). Conditions are so severe that apples struggle to grow here – yet they are ideal for producing Riesling of intensity and character.
Roose’s philosophy is simple:
“Winemaking is easy, but finding your terroir is difficult.”
His meticulous biodynamic farming and dedication to the site have earned Spioenkop a reputation as one of South Africa’s most intriguing estates, with critics even describing its Riesling as “the Cape’s best.”
To celebrate International Riesling Day on 13 March, we’re offering a 20% saving this weekend only:
Spioenkop Riesling 2017
Now £23.99 (was £29.99)
With nearly a decade of bottle age, the 2017 vintage is drinking beautifully – bone dry and layered with lime zest, citrus oil and wet stone minerality, showing exactly why Riesling remains one of the world’s noblest grape varieties.
This Riesling Day offer runs until Sunday 15 March, so if you’ve been meaning to revisit this remarkable grape, now is the perfect time.
But be warned: once you discover a Riesling like this, you may find yourself asking the same question we did…
Kann ich mehr Riesling bitte?
(“May I have more Riesling, please?”)
Riesling Day
Weekend Offer
94 Points – Greg Sherwood MW | 17 Points – Jancis Robinson MW | 94 Points – Platter’s | 95 Points – Tim Atkin MW
“You wouldn’t expect cool climate Riesling to excel at Spioenkop like it does, but when you consider the higher altitude vineyards and close proximity to the cold Atlantic Ocean, as well as the whole Elgin region being classified as second coolest on the Winkler climatic scale, then you begin to see how this temperamental grape has found a natural home in the valley. The 2017 Riesling is a beautifully aromatic expression brimming with notes of lime peel, honeysuckle, green apple, crunchy white peaches and delicate notes of kerosene and petrol rag over a limestone minerality. The palate shows a taut, powerful, exacting structure moulded around tart, crisp glassy lemon and lime acids but supported by a sleek mid-palate loaded with white peach, green apple, candied kumquats and crystalised green figs. Very Germanic in stature and expression, this wine must surely rank among the top Rieslings produced in South Africa. Drink now but absolutely no rush over the next 3 to 5+ years.” – Greg Sherwood MW.
