Monday, May 8^th: I participated in a webinar tasting at 12:45 pm today, entitled “German Wines: A Closer Look with Anne Krebiehl, MW and John Szabo, MS.” Participants were sent a case of eight wines, which we sampled along with the hosts, after Anne Krebiehl gave an authoritative overview of Germany’s wine regions, their climates and their soil characteristics.

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Wittmann Weisser Burgunder Trocken 2017 (Rheinhessen, $24.95)
Golden straw in colour; minerally, white peach and lemon nose with matching flavours. Medium-bodied, dry, brisk and lively on the palate. (89)

A.C. Christmann Riesling Trocken 2017 (Pfalz, $25.01)
Deep straw colour; floral, minerally, honeyed nose with petrol notes; light-bodied, spicy, elegant and racy, finishing on a note of limes. (91)

Weingut Dreissigacker Organic Grauburgunder Pinot Gris 2018 (Rheinhessen, $30)
Bright straw in colour; dusty, peach skin nose; medium-bodied, dry, ripe peach flavour; well-balanced and lingering. (90)

Salwey RS Spätburgunder Ostwein 2016 (Kaiserstuhl, Baden, $44.75)
Light ruby in colour; a nose of raspberries, oak spice with a thread of minerality. Light-bodied, dry, delicate, lean and sinewy with a sour cherry flavour and racy acidity. (91–92)

Stodden JS Spätburgunder 2017 (Ahr Valley, $60.76)
Light ruby in colour; a nose of dried red flowers and cherries with a suggestion of oak; light to medium-bodied, dry, earthy, savoury cherry flavour; firmly structured with ripe tannins. (89)

Graf Neipperg Schwaigerner Ruthe Lemberger Dry 2016 (Württemberg, $67.60)
Deep ruby in colour; cedary, red cherry nose with evident oak; light to medium-bodied, dry, redcurrant flavour; beautifully balanced, elegant and firmly structured with racy acidity. (90) (The wine that is available now is #531292 and is $25.60)

Clemens Busch Marienburg Falkenlay Riesling Trocken 2016 (Mosel, $60)
Golden straw in colour; lilac, spicy, slate-y nose of peach and apple, flavours that fill the mouth with a rich, sweetness, ending an intriguing note of bitterness. (90)

Hofgut Falkenstein Neidermenniger Herrenberg Spätlese Feinherb 2018 (Mosel, $34)
Pale straw in colour; minerally, honeyed, grapefruit zest bouquet; light-bodied, off-dry, orange, lemon and grapefruit flavours with a touch of honey; beautifully balanced and lingering with a lovely mouth-feel. (92)

Other wines tasted:

Flat Rock Cellars Unplugged Unoaked Chardonnay 2019 (Niagara Peninsula, $17.95)
Bright, light straw colour; leesy, apple bouquet; light to medium-bodied, crisply dry with lemony, green apple flavours with racy acidity. Chablis style. (88)

Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve Chardonnay 2018 (Short Hills Bench, Niagara, $29.95)
Straw colour; toasty, spicy, cashew nut nose; medium-bodied, green pineapple. Lemon and apple flavours with a touch of oak on the end taste. Well-balanced, elegant and rich on the palate. (91)

Flat Rock Cellars Mystery wine
Straw colour with a lime tint; toasty nose of oak spice with an underbrush note; medium-bodied, just off-dry, mouth-filling, peach flavour with balancing acidity. I suspect it’s Pinot Gris or maybe Viognier. (89)

Gérard Bertrand Picpoul de Pinet 2019 ($17.95, to be released July 25^th)
Very pale straw with a lime tint: minerally, peach nose with a light floral note; medium-bodied, dry, white peach flavour, nicely balanced with fresh acidity.  (89)

Baron de Hoen Gewurztraminer Reserve 2018 (Alsace, $19.95, Vintages #377721, to be released July 11^th)
Bright, straw colour; intense, spicy, lychee nose with a note of ginger; medium-bodied, just off-dry with flavours of rose water, cardamom and sweet grapefruit. (89)

Quails’ Gate Rosé 2019 (Okanagan, $19.95, Vintages #275842, release date June 27^th)
Palest pink in colour; minerally, lightly floral, raspberry nose; medium-bodied, dry, raspberry and cranberry flavours; fresh and lively on the palate. (89)

Gérard Bertrand Hampton Water Rosé 2019 (South of France)
The faintest pink colour; minerally, wild strawberry bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, watermelon and cranberry flavours. Good length. (89)

Troupis Winery Fteri Agiorgitiko Moscofilero Rosé 2018 (Peloponnese, $15.95, Vintages #15139, release date: July 11^th)
Light pink in colour; lightly floral, watermelon nose; medium-bodied, dry, with lively mouth-feel, cherry and watermelon flavours. Fresh acidic finish. (89)

Flat Rock Twisted 2019 (Niagara Peninsula)
Deep pink with a mauve tint; red cherry nose; with a light floral note; just off-dry with strawberry and orange flavours and a raspberry candy finish. Easy drinking. (88.5)

Malivoire Che Bello Sparkling Wine (Ontario, $19.95) (Riesling, Seyval and Vidal)
Pale straw colour, tiny bubbles; citrus peel nose; light to medium-bodied, lemon and green plum flavours. Crisp and refreshing with an engaging touch of bitterness on the finish. (88.5)

Malivoire Gewurztraminer 2018 (Beamsville Bench, Ontario, $19.95)
Pale straw colour; aromatic, lychee and rose petal nose; medium-bodied, just off-dry, unctuous, lychee, cardamom and rosewater flavours. Nicely balanced and varietally correct. (90)

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