Dry Riesling in Southern California – January 2017

Dry Riesling was the focus of attention at two of Southern California’s benchmark wine retailers on 25 and 26 January 2017.  On Wednesday 25 January the action was around the tasting bar at Woodland Hills Wine Company (22622 Ventura Boulevard, Woodland Hills, 800-678-9463).  On 26 January, the scene moved south to the tasting bar at Hi-Time Wine Cellars (250 Ogle Street, Costa Mesa, 800-331-3005).  At Woodland Hills Wine CompanyJohn Haeger made a brief presentation on the current state of dry Riesling and walked participants through eight wines, including wines from the Selenium Vineyard in Washington’s Yakima Valley, from Rudi Pichler and Schloss Gobelsburg in Austria, von Winning in the Pfalz, and Kuenhof in Italy’s Alto Adige.  Click scan0006 to see the tasting list.  At Hi-Time Wine Cellars ten wines were tasted, including a Sekt from Falkenstein in the Saar; again Kuenhof from the Alto Adige; Cuvée Frédéric Emile from Trimbach and an excellent Winzenberg Grand Cru made by Hubert Meyer; plus wines from Knoll (Wachau) and Schloss Gobelsburg (Kremstal).  One Australian bottling and one wine from New Zealand were also offered.  John Haeger worked the tasting bar here too, answering questions from guests. Click scan0005 to see the complete list for this tasting.