Hong Kong University German Society’s German Wine Tasting Event 2015

For the fourth year running, Abbelio Wines again sponsored the HKU German Society’s Wine Tasting. The tasting event was held on the evening of Friday 20^th March. We sponsored three German wines – two white wines and one red wine.. Among all of the white wines around the world, German white wine has long been acknowledged as the most elegant. Indeed, Riesling (a variety of white wine grapes) originated along the Rhine region of Germany.

The first of our wines presented at the show is an off-dry (slightly sweet) Kabinett Riesling.  Kabinett wines are typically easy drinking wines that are consumed within a few years of the harvest.  Our 2012 August Kesseler ‘R’ Riesling Kabinett is a lovely example.

Driven by its mineral side, this Riesling offers a mix of stone, pineapple, peach and grapefruit. Lively and balanced, lingering with a juicy, peppery finish.

Next is our second Riesling wine, 2012 August Kesseler ‘Lorch’ Riesling Qualitatswein Trocken. The “Trocken” indicates it is a dry wine. Traditionally most or all German Rieslings have been sweet – in fact the main quality standard for German wine used to primarily measure how much residual sugar was in the wine (with the sweetest being the most highly prized).  In recognition of global consumer preferences however, this is changing and Germany is making some world-class dry white wines.  

A crystal clear and mineral Riesling. Very straight forward with flavors of ripe apples and pears. This well-structured wine is refreshing and invites you to drink! The finish shows a great acidity but is well balanced and integrated into a beautiful texture with a vibrant finish.

 The third wine is a red wine, 2008 August Kesseler Pinot ‘N’ Spatburgunder Trocken (dry). 

August Kesseler is one of the world’s best winemakers, and his wines are amongst the best in Germany (and beyond). His Spatburgunder (also called Pinot Noir) vines are planted on the heat-retaining, porous slate soils of the Assmannshauser Hollenberg vineyard where the grapes attain fabulous concentration. Fastidious hand-harvesting ensures that only the very best fruits is selected. It is then pressed before being aged in barrels for just over a year. The final wine has a strong mineral quality with succulent red summer berry fruits and a fine backbone of acidity.

See you at next year’s event!