2020 WEINGUT MATTHIAS HILD “TROCKEN” – UPPER MOSEL, GERMANY
Elbling
Winemaking details: Matthias Hild is the 4th generation of his family to farm these old terraced vines on the steep hillsides in the village of Wincheringen, in the Upper Mosel. Elbling is one of the oldest European grape varietals, and this family has been growing, championing, and preserving the cultural heritage associated with this grape for over a hundred years. There is just a tiny percentage of Elbling planted in Germany, and most of it is in this area. It is unique in that particular vines are neither red nor white. Rather, white and pink grapes grow together on the same vine. It is known for being light and high acid, and often is made into a sparkling wine. The Upper Mosel is the start of the limestone vein that runs through regions like Chablis and Champagne, and are known for producing some of the most mineral driven wines. The Hild family practices organic farming with no insecticides, pesticides or herbicides, and tillage in the vineyard is reduced to help form a natural biomass that increases the health of the soil. The Elbling is hand harvested and goes through a 21 day cold fermentation in stainless steel and full malolactic fermentation. It rests in steel for a few months before bottling.
Color: Pale Straw
Bouquet: White flowers, lemon pith, sorrel, quince, chalk, green apple.
Palate: This wine is nervy, lively, bright, and oh so thirst quenching. The nose is like springtime coming out of the glass, with plentiful yet delicate citrus and mineral notes. The palate is chalky, rocky, and on the lighter side with a touch of sweetness at the beginning, but because of the beautiful high acid, the wine finishes dry. Enjoy this wine with fall fruit salads with bitter greens, sushi, smoked salmon and potato chips, or a citrus seafood linguini.
With the high acid this wine could age for 3-5 years, but because of the freshness and lightness of the grape, it is recommended to drink within 2 or so years.
Further information can be found here: Weingut Matthias Hild
2018 ROVELLOTTI “VALPLAZZA” COLLINE NOVARESI D.O.C. – ALTO PIEMONTE, ITALY
Nebbiolo
Winemaking details: The Rovellotti family traces its roots to this particular commune, Ghemme, in Northern Piemonte, to the latter stages of the 15th century. Starting in the 1980s, the vineyards have been maintained with the intention to use zero chemicals in the vineyard in order to re-establish the natural balance of environmental and ecological elements. The majority of their vineyards are planted to Nebbiolo, but they also grow Vespolina, Bonarda (Uva Rara), and Erbaluce (Greco Bianco). The soils are a mix of different acidic red clay soils with ancient glacier influences. There are large diurnal shifts here because of the exposure and alpine winds, which help the grapes mature slowly. These grapes are hand harvested, destemmed, and undergo a native fermentation in steel. After a light pressing, the wine ages on fine lees in steel for 6 months, and also goes through a native secondary fermentation. After a light filtration, the wine is bottled and aged another 6 months before release.
Color: Deep Ruby
Bouquet: Wild raspberry, black currant, orange zest, white pepper, alpine flowers, rose petals, violets, light tar
Palate: The nose is quite classic and expressive on this wine, and the palate is just slightly lighter than most Barolos would be. It still has structure with grippy tannins, brisk acid, and a long, rustic finish. Pair this wine with cheese and meat boards, charred veggies, pasta Bolognese, or any wild game.
While this wine is delicious in it’s youth, Nebbiolo is known to age and this wine would gain complexity and depth over the next 5-10 years.
Further information can be found here: Rovellotti