Wine of the Week: G.H. Von Mumm 50 Degrees Riesling Trocken

Wine: G.H. Von Mumm 50 Degrees Riesling Trocken

Grape: Riesling

Region: Rheingau, Germany

Vintage: 2011

Price: $3.99

Availability: Lee’s Discount Liquor

In the glass: Von Mumm Riesling is a light golden yellow with a clean, clear star-bright appearance in the glass, showing a translucent core going out into a glass-clear rim definition with hints of a greenish tinge and high viscosity.

On the nose: There is an abundance of classic white flowers, crushed white currants, stone fruit, lemon zest, lime rind, white nectarines accompanied by chalky minerality. You can almost sense that dry character on the nose.

On the palate: The wine is at first high in acidity, but expands to reveal lovely supple lemon meringue, kaffir lime zest, green apples, white cranberry juice minus the high sweet content.

There’s mouthwatering character of acidity and minerality through the midpalate, ending with a lingering citrus-immersed profile that just makes you want to smack your lips.

Odds and ends: Now that the temperature is rising and spring is here, we need to look at the lighter and brighter wines to enjoy outside with or without our meals. One of my favorite sipping wines for this time of the year and into summer is German riesling.

First, these wines are superbly light, both in alcohol and density. Secondly, they match almost any kind of food, from shrimp cocktails to shellfish platters to chicken dishes, grilled lighter meats, sausages and pizzas.

This particular riesling is made by a relatively unknown producer with a recognizable name: G.H. Von Mumm, no relation to the Champagne house called Mumm.

The 50 Degrees in the name refers to the parallel on which this area of the mighty Rhine River is located and it is among the northernmost winegrowing areas in the world.

The “trocken” in the name simply means “dry” and refers to the style of the wine.

Most consumers equate German riesling with something sweet, but the dry style and the high acidity make this riesling so suitable for food and for aging. I found this on a special at Lee’s Discount Liquor and there are few wines with this quality available at this price.

Drink it now through 2020.

Gil Lempert-Schwarz’s wine column appears on Wednesdays. Write him at P.O. Box 50749, Henderson, NV 89106-0749, or email him at gil@winevegas.com.