Global Masters Wine of the Week: Domaines Schlumberger Grand Cru Saering Riesling

Every week we select a wine that picked up either a Gold or Master from our competition series, and tell you why the judges loved it. Enter The Global Masters and this could be your wine.

We published the results of our Riesling Masters this week, celebrating winemakers from Alsace to Kamptal, Rheingau to Washington State, and even Kazakhstan, who craft bright, aromatic whites with lashings of lime, stone fruit and perfume.

Our judges found pretty much anything you could ever ask for from an Alsace Riesling in this wine produced by the prestigious Domaines Schlumberger in the village of Guebwiller.

Founded in 1810 by Nicolas Schlumberger, today the estate, which has since converted to organic viticulture, is run by the 6th and  7th generations of the family, and has an 80% share in three of Alsace’s greatest Grand Cru sites: Kessler, Kitterlé, and Saering, which is where the grapes for this particular wine are cultivated.

Our Editor-in-Chief and the chair of the Riesling Masters judging panel, Patrick Schmitt MW, had this to say:

An intense lemon yellow appearance indicative of a rich and ripe, slightly aged Riesling.

The nose displays exotic ripe aromatics, with some floral notes (lilies) and a touch of honey, suggesting the inclusion of grapes affected by botrytis.

On the palate, the wine is oily and fat, with flavours of beeswax, peach and sweet ripe apple, before finishing dry and fresh, leaving one salivating, ready for another sip. A delicious, ripe, layered dry Riesling with great persistence.

Riesling may be white wine’s most versatile, food-friendly grape, and this bottle, with its exotic aromatics and persistence, would stand up to equally aromatic dishes such as Thai curry, or complement fresh seafood dishes such as sushi.

Equally, though, they’re made for food found all over Alsace; things like charcuterie, goat cheeses, onion tart, smoked fish, and creamy sauces. Try serving this with tarte flambee or choucroute au poisson.

The wine: Riesling Grand Cru Saering

The source: Alsace, France

The grape(s): Riesling (100%)

Vintage: 2015

ABV: 14%

The style: A zippy, aromatic, complex, dry white wine with mouthwatering acidity and flavours of camomile, lime and white pepper

The winemaker/cellarmaster: Alain Beydon-Schlumberger

The price: Around £20-£20. You can find it at Laithwaites for £24

The medal: Gold – The Riesling Masters

With high quality judges and a unique sampling process, the Global Wine Masters provides a chance for your wines to star.

It’s a competition dedicated to making winners out of winemakers.

Please visit the Global Masters website for more information, or please call +44 (0)20 7803 2420 or email Sophie Raichura at: sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com