Balthasar-Ress- Rüdesheim Berg Riesling Sekt Brut Nature 2015

With a slope of 70 percent, the Rüdesheimer Berg Schlossberg can call itself the steepest vineyard in the Rheingau. At an altitude of 120 to 160 meters above sea level, the vines of this site cling to the stony, poor soils and are held together all around by the strong vineyard walls. Taunus quartzite and phyllite slate give our Great Growths of this site their characteristic signature of minerality and acidity. The vineyard faces due south and receives the extra reflection of sunlight from the Rhein River.

Soil Type(s): Taunus quartzite and phyllite, stony poor soils

The "Prestige" is produced according to the method of traditional bottle fermentation. In this process, the Riesling base wine is bottled after the completion of malolactic fermentation, together with a mixture of yeast and sugar, and closed with a crown cap. The second fermentation occurs in the bottle, producing the byproducts of heat, alcohol, and carbon dioxide. Heat goes out through the bottle, the alcohol increases from around 9-10% to 12-13% and the CO2 is trapped inside the wine forming the bubbles that make it sparkle. After a 48-month period of sitting on the lees, a natural plug of yeast is concentrated in the neck of the bottle (the bottle is aged upside down during this time). The bottle is then frozen and finally opened. Due to the pressure in the bottle, the yeast plug shoots out and a clear sparkling wine remains- a process called disgorging. No additional sweet wine, or dosage, is added to the "Prestige" bottling making it a Brut Nature style.

Sekt was not always seen as a high quality sparkling wine. In fact, German Sekt was often lumped into the same category as everyday Prosecco. With Germany having more and more success with high quality Traditional (Champenoise) Method wines our attention has been piqued. The aromatic intensity and distinctive nature of Riesling, it is truly something to keep an eye on. The prices are not too bad either when compared to their French counterparts. Single vineyard Champagnes often go for many hundreds of dollars, so in comparison while this is pricy, it is a steal for the quality.

Oysters, Mussels, Caviar, Lemon Based Cream Sauce, Geoduck, White Asparagus, Soufflé

• Seafood, German, French