Westhofener Aulerde Riesling Auslese 375ml 2015

Westhofener Aulerde is located in the heart of Rheinhessen, on the slopes overlooking the village of Westhofen in southwestern Germany. This historic terroir benefits from a sheltered exposure and a relatively warm microclimate for the region, promoting slow and complete ripening of the Riesling grapes. The soils are primarily composed of loess, marl, and calcareous clay, imparting richness and tension to the wines. This vineyard is among the most renowned in the area, regularly highlighted for the precision and depth of its white wines.

The Riesling grapes from the Aulerde terroir are hand-harvested at late ripeness, with meticulous selection of botrytized berries, and then gently pressed. The must ferments slowly at low temperatures, primarily in stainless steel tanks, to preserve aromatic purity and fruit finesse. Aging continues on fine lees for several months, also in stainless steel tanks, before careful bottling in 375ml half-bottles to retain the freshness, tension, and precision typical of Dreissigacker's Auslese style.

This wine reveals notes of ripe stone fruit , candied citrus zest , and exotic fruits , complemented by delicate floral touches and a subtle minerality reminiscent of wet stone. The palate, ample and concentrated, combines a luscious sweetness with a lively acidity that lengthens the finish. The texture is supple yet structured, with a liqueur-like quality perfectly balanced by freshness, leaving a persistent and harmonious impression.

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.