# Estate Riesling Trocken (2023)

- **Producer:** Vereinigte Hospitien
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Riesling
- **Region:** Mosel, Germany
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 11.5%
- **Average price:** €10
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 8–10 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** apple, pear, peach, grapefruit, lime, herbaceous, honey, petrol

## About this wine

The Estate Riesling by Vereinigte Hospitien (United Hospices) represents one of the most historic and socially unique wine estates in the world. Located in the ancient Roman city of Trier along the Mosel River, the winery was established as a charitable foundation in 1804 by a decree from Napoleon Bonaparte, who consolidated several local monasteries and hospitals. To this day, the estate operates as a public foundation, directing all profits from wine sales to fund local nursing homes, medical facilities, and social care programs. The estate's labels feature St. James the Elder, paying tribute to the historic pilgrim hospital that once stood on the grounds.

## Interesting facts

- The estate's cellars date back to approximately 330 AD, officially recognized as Germany's oldest wine cellar.
- An estate document from 1464 contains the oldest written evidence of Riesling cultivation in the Mosel valley.
- All profits from wine sales directly fund local charitable facilities, including nursing homes and social care programs.

## Food pairing

The high, vibrant acidity of this dry Riesling acts as a palate cleanser, cutting through light fats and oils in fish and poultry. Its mineral-driven profile complements fresh seafood and shellfish beautifully, while the dry style provides a crisp contrast to light, herb-infused dishes.

## Wine making process

This dry Riesling is crafted from grapes hand-harvested on the steep, slate-rich slopes of the Mosel and Saar valleys. The extreme terrain requires meticulous manual labor. In the cellar, the grapes undergo gentle pressing followed by a cool, temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks to preserve the grape's pure, vibrant primary fruit aromas. The wine is aged entirely in stainless steel on its fine lees (Hefelager) to develop subtle texture and complexity without any oak influence or added sugars, ensuring a classic, terroir-driven expression of dry Mosel Riesling.