Silvaner Sundays – Rietsch Sylvaner

I first heard about the Rietsch Sylvaner Vieilles Vignes through Silvanerfest and their profile on Stephan Kraemer. They wrote that this wine was a great influence on him. So, I had to try it, too.

The grapes fro the Vieilles Vignes Sylvaner grow on loam and limestone. After the selective manual harvest the grapes are directly pressed. The spontaneous fermentation as well as the ageing take place in Foudres. After 31 months the wine is slightly filtered, unfined and no added sulphur.

Complex and yet approachable

When freshly opened, the Rietsch Sylvaner starts with some reductive notes. Yet, you also notice some green fruits as well as yellow plums. The acidity is quite pronounced with hints of lime. Under the whole taste there is a certain effervescent mouthfeel. The minerality comes off as a combination of flint and wet stones. The aftertaste is long with effervescent powder. On the second day after opening, the reductive notes are gone and on top of that the acidity is better integrated. All in all, every Silvaner fan should try this bottle to broaden her / his horizont!