BIRMINGHAM WINE WEEKEND
THE JOURNAL
Tatti’s Top Four Rieslings
Celebrating International Riesling Day with Harvey Nichols
For International Riesling Day, we asked Harvey Nichols Wine Specialist, Tatti Sukamongkol, to introduce this very special grape and share four of his favourite wines.
Meet Tatti
Tatti Sukamongkol is responsible for all things wine at Harvey Nichols Birmingham. A specialist in his field, he is passionate about wine and spirits and hosts regular tastings in the Mailbox store.
The Grape
‘’Rieslings are a white grape variety that originate from the Rhine region. They are an aromatic grape variety displaying flowery, almost perfumed, aromas as well as high acidity.”
Tatti considers this versatile grape to be the noblest of all grapes. ‘No matter how long it’s been aged for, there is no sacrifice to production as it does not lose its acidity.’
So, in no particular order, here are Tatti’s top four Rieslings…
HARVEY NICHOLS Eden Valley Riesling 2021
Producer: Dandelion Vineyards
Country: Australia
Vintage: 2021
Tasting Notes
Expect notes of lemon sorbet, green apple, candied citrus peel and dried herbs finishing with a delicious salty minerality. Delicate and crisp, its racy acidity cuts through the fattiness of deep-fried food wonderfully and refreshes the palate between mouthfuls of spicy dishes.
Tasting Notes
Gassmann is known for wines that possess a wonderful elegance, softness, and drinkability. Bright, crisp, and crunchy it reveals hints of blossom, toast, peach, apricot sorbet and lemon zest. Best enjoyed with flavoursome firm flesh fish, white meats, grilled cheeses, and spicy dishes.
EMMERICH KNOLL Riesling Ried Pfaffenberg Kremstal 2020
Producer: Emmerich Knoll
Country: Austria
Vintage: 2020
Tasting Notes
Expect floral notes of honeysuckle and apple blossom, citrus, lemon oil, apricot sorbet and white peach. The intensity and racy acidity will soon tell you that this wine is still just a baby, so we recommend also tucking a few bottles away, because it looks set to run and run, improving with each new year. And bottle-aged Riesling is a thing of immense beauty! This is a dry but still a very rich Riesling that is commended for its bright, and juicy style.
Tasting Notes
This epic and vegan-friendly wine balances sweetness perfectly with crisp acidity, making it extremely versatile for food matching. Consider this a highly gastronomic Riesling with perfumed scents on the nose that accompany the taste of mango, blossom, ripe pear, lychee, and honey.