Battenfeld Spanier Riesling Trocken ‘Eisquell’

​​While I sipped my morning coffee in the backyard, the sun warming my back, I couldn’t help but think about what I’d be drinking later that day. My answer was a bottle I love to recommend to people that say, “I want dry and mineral” and I say, “Well then you NEED to drink this Riesling.” 

The Battenfeld Spanier Trocken Riesling ‘Eisquell’ comes from Carolin Spanier-Gillot and H.O. Spanier. Close to the Rheingau, in Rheinhessen (just outside of Frankfurt) is a wine region more notable for sheer quantity than quality. Battenfeld-Spanier is working hard to change that! Their goal is restoring the vitality and life of the soil, such an important foundation to any great natural wine. H.O. took over these vineyards at the age of 20, beginning the conversion process to completely natural in 1993. With Carolin, the aim is to “communicate a direct impression of the soil characteristics of the southern Wonnegau: marled chalk and chalk pebbles, all the way to solid limestone. One should be able to experience and taste the rock.”

And this Riesling is pure rock!! One of my favorite ways to describe it is ‘like cold river water on hot rocks but with a hint of lime & something Opal apple-y’ - first sip and you’ll know exactly what I mean. Hand harvested and fermented in HUGE old wood barrels. Such strong minerality acts as this amazing backbone to this utterly crushable/ perfect for all summer and even winter/ ok just all the time YUMMMM wine. Refreshingly crisp and like the freshest summer morning ever (breakfast wine anyone?!)! Let it warm a little and you’ll get a bit more body and some slight white flower notes from it. F___ YES!

Look! I know there are a lot of Riesling skeptics out there - but I promise - you want a dry wine? You want crushable with minerality and hints of fruit but not too much? This is your jam! Seriously, give it a try and you’ll be a quick convert!! come by - I’m probably drinking some right now!