Axel Pauly Purist Riesling 2024

Axel Pauly's Purist Riesling comes from vineyards on the steep slopes of the Mosel, around Lieser, in western Germany. These slopes, mostly facing south to south-west, sit on weathered slate soils that store heat and encourage slow, gradual ripening of the grapes. The cool climate, strongly influenced by the river, brings marked temperature swings, preserving lively acidity and the aromatic purity of the grape variety. This combination gives the wine a precise, taut and mineral expression.

The Riesling grapes are harvested by hand on the steep slopes of the Mosel, then gently whole-bunch pressed. The must ferments slowly in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks to preserve the purest expression of the fruit and its mineral tension. Ageing continues for several months on fine lees, still in stainless-steel tanks, to retain crystalline freshness, aromatic precision and a straight, dry character.

This wine reveals notes of green apple and crisp apple, lifted by the incisive freshness of lemon zest. The bouquet then opens onto delicate floral touches of privet blossom, complemented by hints of fresh hay, a subtle yeasty note and a light accent of tropical fruit. The dry, clean palate combines a supple yet present body with lively, thirst-quenching acidity. Its mineral backbone, with accents of stone, brings precision and length, while a fine phenolic grip structures a taut, pure and lingering finish.

Germany has a long and illustrious history of winemaking. The Romans established the country's first vineyards along the banks of the Moselle River, near the present-day city of Trier. By the third century AD, vineyards had spread to various neighboring valleys, primarily those of the Moselle's tributaries. During the Middle Ages, the Christian church, particularly the Cistercian and Benedictine monasteries, had a significant influence on the development of viticulture and the production of quality wine in Germany. Germany has always been renowned for its excellent white wines: slightly sweet, low in alcohol, but always of high quality. However, in recent years, wine drinkers have tended to prefer drier wines. Consequently, the German market has evolved to cater to all tastes with some splendid dry Rieslings and other white wine varieties, such as Pinot Blanc, Gewürztraminer, and Grauburgunder. Warmer summers and milder winters have also favored rosés and reds, with Pinot Noir being the third most planted grape variety in the country. So, take your pick—from traditional Rieslings to great reds, the range is wide and still expanding. The German wine industry lost its way in terms of quality during the 20th century, expanding plantings onto less favorable sites and increasing yields to levels where quality was severely compromised. However, Germany's greatest wine producers were never completely lost, and since the end of the 20th century, considerable efforts have been made to restore Germany's former glory. Yields are now limited by law, and many leading producers have joined forces to form the VDP association (see German Wine Labels). Members of the VDP are bound by a commitment to focus their efforts on quality rather than quantity. In terms of volume, Germany ranks among the top ten countries in the world for annual wine production. Just over 60% of the wine produced is white, and it is widely acknowledged that the white wines from Germany's best vineyards and most reputable producers are among the finest in the world. German red wines are also gaining in popularity and quality, particularly those made from Spätburgunder, the local name for Pinot Noir. The second most popular red grape variety (in terms of planted hectares, at least) is Dornfelder.