Jakob Schneider - Estate Riesling Trocken 2021 750ml (12% ABV)

The Schneider family has been making wine in the Nahe village of Niederhäusen since 1575. Today the winery is run by Jakob Schneider Jr. who took over after graduating from Geisenheim and interning at Knoll in Austria’s Wachau. His wife Laura, sister Monika, and mother Liesel, all manage different parts of the estate.

Over 52 different soil types can be found here, mostly based on volcanic rock and slate. Working as closely as possible to nature in the vineyards, the Schneiders use humus in their very steep vineyards to help absorb and retain water, as well as straw and hay to prevent erosion. Schneider’s wines maintain an old world charm while showcasing a stalwart minerality only derived from the amazing terroirs from which they hale.

The "estate trocken" is the new label for an old favorite: the Melaphyr trocken, named for a rare type of volcanic rock found in the estate parcels used for this bottling. Without getting too scientific, this is a "porphyritic igneous rock" / Mesozoic basalt. It’s one of the volcanic soils the central Nahe contains, and it can provide aromas of soursop, lemon-balm, violets and ginger. They added a little Spätlese fruit to add a nice rich texture and more salt and vinosity.

tasting notes: a true dry Riesling for folks who don't think they like Riesling. Slightly exotic nose, crushed volcanic rock, petrol, white peach. Racy, lean palate of salinity and mouth-tingling acidity. Bursting with character, a must try.

region: Nahe, Germany

varietal: Riesling

style: dry white

farming/cellar: practicing organic

pairing: fried shrimp & veggie rolls