Riesling (alter)native trocken 2022

Wine description for Riesling (alter)native dry 2022 by Clemens Busch

Colour & Appearance

Luminous straw yellow with lively green reflections – clear and inviting, with a hint of transparency that already reveals its cool Mosel origin.

Nose

The nose is of remarkable complexity and tells two stories simultaneously: that of the place and that of the maker. Candied ginger and honeydew melon open the proceedings, followed by pineapple, white peach and a captivating clear pear. Woven through are Far Eastern herbal notes – lemongrass, coriander and mint – which lend the wine an unexpected exoticism. The finale is marked by a delicate vegetable touch of fennel and anise. All of this feels alive, almost restless – a Riesling that doesn’t stand still for a second.

Palate

On the palate, the (alter)native reveals its true face: taut, fine-meshed, powerful. Without any oiliness or heaviness, it builds an impressive tension, carried by a present but never aggressive acidity. The fine tannins from skin contact blend harmoniously with the bitter, acid-driven structure. The fruit retreats into stone fruit territory – yellow apples, pear – whilst the Southeast Asian herbs continue to whisper in the background. A Riesling that demands and rewards.

Finish

Long, bitter and astringent – in the best sense. The herbal spice of lemongrass and coriander lingers, accompanied by yellow apple skin. The finish is dry, precise and refreshingly long.

Terroir & Origin

The grapes come from higher-altitude parcels of the legendary steep vineyard site Pündericher Marienburg on the Mosel – one of Germany’s most uncompromising terroirs, shaped by slate, extreme gradient and a climate that forces Riesling to its purest expression.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Pure Riesling, vinified as a consistent natural wine: 48 hours skin contact, spontaneous fermentation, 14 months ageing in 1,000-litre wooden barrel. With just 11.0 % vol. alcohol, 1.5 g/l residual sugar and 6.5 g/l acidity, this wine is a manifesto of reduction – and at the same time one of the most characterful Rieslings of the Mosel.

Food Pairing Suggestions

The herbal complexity and lively acidity make this wine the ideal companion for aromatically multifaceted dishes: carrot soup with Earl Grey, cardamom and dill, Vietnamese summer rolls with sweet and sour dip or chicory and Boskoop apple in green peppercorn cream – dishes that mirror its Far Eastern spice and stand up to its bitterness.

Special Features

The (alter)native is Clemens Busch’s personal answer to the natural wine discourse – no compromise, but a position. If you’re looking for an agreeable, fruit-driven Mosel Riesling, you’re in the wrong place. If you’re looking for a wine that makes you think, you’re in exactly the right place.