Riesling Sekt Brut traditionelle Flaschengärung 2022

Wine description for Riesling Sekt Brut, traditional bottle fermentation 2022 from Clemens Busch

Clemens Busch cultivates his Riesling vines with an almost meditative dedication to biodynamics deep in the steep slate slopes of the Moselle, where the river winds its way through the valley in narrow bends. His Brut sparkling wine embodies the timeless craftsmanship of traditional bottle fermentation, paired with the uncompromising loyalty to the terroir for which this winemaker is known.

Visual impression

In the glass, the wine is a brilliant straw yellow with vivid greenish reflections that catch the light like rays of sunlight on slate rocks. The perlage appears as a fine, precise chain of rising bubbles - restrained yet persistent, symbolising the subtle elegance of Moselle wines.

Nose

The flavour unfolds in waves of astonishing precision. At first we encounter a cool hint of Chervil and Mintfollowed by ethereal notes of Eucalyptus and Lemon thymereminiscent of a morning walk through a dewy herb garden. The abrasion of Lime and Bergamot lends the bouquet a vibrant freshness, while subtle yeast notes and mineral hints in the background subtly hint at the wine's origins - like a faint echo of the steep slate slopes that disappear into the Mosel haze.

Palate

The palate reveals a remarkable symbiosis of precise Riesling fruit and the fine mellowness of yeast ageing. The carbonic acid is not an end in itself, but a structuring element that lengthens the wine and gives it vigour. The basic mineral structure - a signature of the slate soils of the Moselle - manifests itself in an almost salty texture, reminiscent of wind-dried stones after a summer rain.

With 11.6 g/l residual sugar and 7.2 g/l acidity, this sparkling wine strikes a remarkable balance that is not upset by excessive sweetness or aggressive acidity. The dosage appears perfectly calibrated to emphasise the essence of the Riesling without masking it. The finish is long and vibrant, with a cool clarity reminiscent of the air after a summer thunderstorm in the Moselle valley.

General information

The 2022 vintage brought ideal conditions for structured, precise wines on the Moselle. At 12.0% alcohol, this sparkling wine retains the lightness and elegance typical of Busch. Traditional bottle fermentation - an elaborate process that requires time and craftsmanship - gives the wine the complexity and depth that clearly sets it apart from industrially produced sparkling wines.

Clemens Busch, a pioneer of biodynamic viticulture on the Moselle, proves with this sparkling wine that craftsmanship and terroir are also of crucial importance in sparkling wine production. His approach is not characterised by showmanship, but by the quiet endeavour to bring the essence of his vineyards unadulterated into the bottle.

Food pairing suggestions

The vibrant freshness and mineral structure of this sparkling wine predestine it for dishes of subtle complexity:

Vietnamese-style oysters with fish sauce, coriander and chilli - The iodine sea breeze of the oysters finds a congenial partner in the mineral structure of the sparkling wine, while the fish sauce emphasises the salty notes and the coriander corresponds with the herbal notes of the wine.

Blanched white asparagus with hazelnut cream and wild garlic pesto - The vegetal sweetness of the asparagus harmonises wonderfully with the precise fruit of the sparkling wine, while the wild garlic pesto picks up on the herbaceous notes and the hazelnut cream lends the whole a velvety texture.

Burrata with dead trumpets and pickled spruce shoots - the creamy mildness of the burrata forms a perfect canvas for the mineral structure of the sparkling wine, while the dead trumpets contribute earthy depth and the spruce shoots enter into dialogue with the ethereal notes of the wine.