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Product Name
Vintage
Price
Varietal
Country
Region
Appellation
Size
Additional Discount
Original Item
2009
$45.94
Riesling
Germany
Rheingau / Rheinh...
750ml
N/A
Better Price
2013
$36.79
Riesling
Germany
Rheingau / Rheinh...
750ml
12B / $36.05
Similar Price
2013
$44.95
Riesling
Germany
Rheingau / Rheinh...
750ml
Similar Price, Better Score
2022
$46.36
Riesling
Germany
Rheingau / Rheinh...
750ml
Better Price, Better Score
2021
$39.84
Riesling
Germany
Rheingau / Rheinh...
750ml
12B / $39.04
More Details
Winery
Franz Kunstler
Vintage: 2009
Despite less than ideal climatic conditions, featuring storms which threatened an otherwise perfect year, most parts of California had an excellent year for viticulture. Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs were picked at optimum ripeness, and Californian white wine was just about as good as it could be. Surprises and overcoming difficulties summed up much of the United States' wine industry in 2009, and many of the results from Oregon, Washington State and all over California speak for themselves, with the flagship Cabernet Sauvignon grapes having developed healthy, thick skins and thus plenty of character and distinction. Elsewhere in the New World, South Africa had a very good year in 2009, and wineries across the cape of the African continent are proclaiming it a truly great vintage.
In most of Europe, fine weather and punctual ripening periods produced some excellent wines, with many of the best coming out of France's Bordeaux and the surrounding regions. Merlot had an exceptionally good year in France, and wineries are proclaiming that the 2009 Merlot harvest was one of the best in living memory. Indeed, across most of France, ripening was relatively even, and red wine grapes such as Cabernet Franc, Syrah and others were reportedly highly characterful, with plenty of the required tannin levels with which to make high quality wines. Italy, too, had a very good 2009. Piedmont reported extremely favorable conditions throughout 2009, and their signature Nebbiolo grapes were more or less perfect when harvested, having benefited from the slight drop in temperature at the end of their ripening period. Veneto, too, had an enviable year, producing superb Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay wines in 2009.
Varietal: Riesling
Riesling grapes have been grown in and around central Europe for centuries, and over time, they became the lasting symbol of south Germany's ancient and proud wine culture. Whilst the reputation of German wines abroad has in the past been mixed, the Germans themselves take an enormous amount of pride in their wineries, and Riesling grapes have now spread around the globe, growing anywhere with the correct climate in which they can thrive. Riesling grape varietals generally require much cooler climatic conditions than many other white grapes, and they are generally considered to be a very 'terroir expressive' varietal, meaning that the features and characteristics of the terroir they are grown on comes across in the flavors and aromas in the bottle. It is this important feature which has allowed Riesling wines to be elevated into the category of 'fine' white wines, as the features of the top quality bottles are generally considered to be highly unique and offer much to interest wine enthusiasts.
Region: Rheingau / Rheinhessen
The beautiful German wine region of Rheingau is home to many of the country's most famous and highly respected white wines, with many of the Riesling wines to come out of this mountainous area being widely considered to be amongst the finest on earth. The reason for this is due to the fact that when processed carefully and correctly, the Riesling grape is capable of expressing much of the terroir it is grown on, and there are few better terroirs in the world for this grape varietal than those found in Rheingau. With mineral rich soils, crisp, clear mountain water and cool, gentle climatic conditions, the grapes here grow and ripen slowly, producing fruit of exceptional quality and wines of real character and distinction. Today, the region of Rheingau is also growing Pinot Noir grapes, and experimenting with several other varietals in an attempt to widen its international appeal as a region.
Country: Germany
As in many Old World countries, the rise of viticulture in Germany came about as a result of the Roman Empire, who saw the potential for vine cultivation in the vast flatlands around the base of the Rhine valley. Indeed, for over a thousand years, Germany's wine production levels were enormous, with much of the south of the country being used more or less exclusively for growing grapes. Over time, this diminished to make way for expanding cities and other types of industries, but Southern Germany remains very much an important wine region within Europe, with many beautifully balanced and flavorful German wines being prized by locals and international wine lovers alike. The hills around Baden-Baden and Mannheim are especially noteworthy, as these produce the high end of the characteristic semi-sweet white wines which couple so perfectly with German cheeses and pickled vegetables. However, all of Germany's wine producing regions have something special and unique to offer, and are a joy to explore and experience.