Riesling vom blauen Schiefer - Clemens Busch

Riesling from Blue Slate - Clemens Busch shines in the glass in a light straw yellow with glossy green reflections. The delicate color appears clear and precise, almost crystalline. Already with the first swirl, a fine aroma rises that immediately reveals its origin from the steep slate slopes on the Mosel.

On the nose, juicy notes of white peach and ripe yellow apple emerge. There is also a hint of fresh lemon and lime peel that keeps the bouquet crisp and taut. Fine nuances of herbs recall lemon balm and delicate mint. Above all lies the typical cool minerality of the blue slate, which acts like a gentle veil of smoke and gives the wine depth.

On the palate, Riesling vom blauen Schiefer - Clemens Busch presents itself dry, crystal clear and very precise. The first impression shows citrus freshness and juicy stone fruit, followed by aromas of green apple, white nectarine and a hint of ripe pear. The light, creamy texture glides delicately over the tongue and combines elegance with vibrant tension.

The acidity is racy but very well integrated. It carries the fruit and keeps the wine in perfect balance. The minerality of the slate provides cool grip and salty nuances that recall wet stone after summer rain. The tannin plays only a subtle supporting role; the structure arises mainly from acidity and minerality. The body remains slender, yet appears remarkably dense and focused at the same time.

On the finish, there is a long, vibrating aftertaste. Lemon, lime and a hint of vineyard peach remain on the palate, accompanied by a fine echo of slate spice. This finish directly invites the next sip and at the same time appears very stylish and calm. The style of the wine clearly stands for classic Mosel Riesling from a cool climate: fresh, precise, fruit-driven and marked by minerality.

The steep slopes on the Middle Mosel near Pünderich shape the character of this wine in a lasting way. The vines root deep in blue slate, which stores warmth during the day and gently releases it to the grapes at night. At the same time, the cool Mosel climate ensures a long ripening period and intense aroma development. In this way, a white wine is created that unites finesse, freshness and terroir in a very clear style.

Typical of the Riesling variety, this VDP.Ortswein also shows the full range of this great grape. Riesling delivers here:

• taut, lively acidity with plenty of drive on the palate
• clear aromas of citrus, stone fruit and apple
• distinct minerality from the slate soil
• a slender body with high tension

Thus, Riesling vom blauen Schiefer - Clemens Busch appears as an ideal ambassador of the Mosel. It does not appear loud, but fine, precise and expressive. Spontaneous fermentation and maturation in large wooden casks further reinforce the complex impression. At the same time, the wine always remains clear, straightforward and extremely enticing to drink.

Three focal points suggest themselves for the highlights of this wine:

1. Freshness, citrus fruit and stone fruit dominate nose and palate.
2. Minerality from the blue slate provides cool, salty grip.
3. Light body with creaminess delivers elegance and length.

Through this combination, this Mosel Riesling ranks at the very top when it comes to finely structured, classic wines from steep slate slopes. It easily accompanies an entire evening, from aperitif to light main course, and always leaves a clear, elegant impression.

Production of Riesling vom blauen Schiefer by Clemens Busch

The grapes come from steep slopes around Pünderich on the Mosel. The vines grow on barren blue slate, which provides only few nutrients and directs the roots deep into the ground. The cool climate of the Mosel with warm days and fresh nights ensures slow ripening. In this way, the grapes retain their crisp acidity while the aromatic play develops intensively.

Riesling as the only variety shapes the style of this Ortswein. The grapes deliver high aromatic tension, clear citrus notes and the slate minerality typical of the Mosel. In viticulture, the estate relies on careful hand harvesting in the steep terraces. Harvesting is done in several passes so that only fully ripe berries make it into the cellar.

After harvesting, gentle processing and careful pressing of the grapes follow. A short maceration time releases fine aromas from the berry skins. Fermentation starts spontaneously with the natural yeasts from vineyard and cellar. It takes place in the traditional Moselfuder, a large wooden cask with a volume of around 1000 liters.

The fermentation temperature remains rather cool so that freshness and fruit are preserved. The large wooden cask does not impart a dominant wood note to the wine but supports structure, depth and a gentle texture. Extended maturation on the fine lees fills out the palate and gives the wine the delicate creaminess that is so typical of this Riesling on slate soil.

The estate places great value on precise terroir interpretation. The wine clearly shows its origin without being overlaid by technology. The aim of vinification is a Mosel Riesling that unites lightness and depth, clearly shows the minerality of the blue slate and at the same time remains elegant and powerful. The VDP.Ortswein classification impressively reflects this aspiration.

Enjoyment recommendations for Riesling vom blauen Schiefer by Clemens Busch

When it comes to food pairing, this Mosel Riesling shines above all with light-colored and delicate dishes. The fresh acidity and fine minerality go ideally with subtle cuisine that respects the wine’s filigree character. The following combinations are particularly harmonious:

• grilled or steamed fish such as trout, char or pike-perch
• seafood, for example prawns with lemon oil or scallops
• poultry dishes, such as lemon chicken with herbs
• Asian-inspired cuisine with gentle heat and lime
• fresh salads with goat cheese, apple slices and nuts
• vegetable dishes with asparagus, fennel or zucchini

As an aperitif, this wine brings verve to any summer gathering. At a romantic dinner, it elegantly accompanies a fine menu with fish or poultry. For Valentine’s Day, it pairs ideally with light starters and a main course with delicate texture, such as a risotto with green asparagus or a mild vegetable curry.

On the terrace on a warm summer evening, the wine provides refreshing lightness and enlivens conversation. As a gift for Riesling lovers, it conveys expertise and style, as it shows the Mosel from its classic side. The slim Schlegel bottle with cork appears timeless and of high quality.

The ideal serving temperature is 8 to 10 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, the wine shows all its freshness without losing aroma. Before enjoyment, a brief time to breathe in the glass is sufficient; decanting is recommended only in exceptional cases. A fine white wine glass with a slightly larger bowl best brings out the minerality and the aromatic interplay of peach, apple and lemon.

With good storage in a cool, dark environment, this Riesling stays in fine form for around seven years from the vintage. With some maturation, additional notes of dried herbal spice, honey and riper stone fruit develop. Thus, the wine offers a choice between youthful freshness and matured complexity, depending on occasion and personal preference.

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