Chubby German

"Augustus! Stop eating your fingers."
    "But I taste so good."

-- Augustus Gloop and his Mother (Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, 2005)

Think of Schloss Saarstein's Pinot Blanc as a soft, slightly chubby expression of the white Pinot mutant clone (known locally as Weissburgunder).  This wine, imported by the fine Volks at Valckenberg, is one of the few German non-Rieslings I've seen in my neck of the woods.

The Skinny
Schloss Saarstein Pinot Blanc 2003 ($20)

• Pinot Blanc [12.5% alcohol] from the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer region of Southwestern Germany
• Shiny yellow-gold in color with noticeable stickyness/leggyness in the glass
• Scents of canned pears (in light syrup!), oranges and custard
• Medium-bodied with lowish acidity - heading towards off-dry, but not yet over the line.  Saarstein Pinot offers simple, refreshing flavors of citrus coupled to hints of blossom and almond.  The in-mouth texture is rich, with a slightly overripe character on the finish

*** (3 stars out of 5)

I was on a veggie kick when I sampled the Schloss, and it paired quite well with roasted Swiss chard and sautéed  baby red potatoes in garlic & butter.  I recommend keeping your foods firmly in the salty/savory camp with this wein.  Otherwise the sweetness might be a bit much.  If you see S. Saarstein Pinot Blanc for $15 or so, grab it.  I think $20 is too high.

Comments

[pneumonia symptoms]

Madeira is what hooked me on wine. One of my first wine tastings was an eight bottle almost-vertical flight of Madeira spanning the 20th century. It's an experience I'll never forget.