# Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett (2024)

- **Producer:** Weingut Joh. Jos. Prüm
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Riesling
- **Region:** Mosel, Germany
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 8.5%
- **Average price:** €41
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 12–14 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** apple, peach, herbaceous, redcurrant

## About this wine

Weingut Joh. Jos. Prüm, founded in 1911 and now led by Dr. Katharina Prüm, is one of the Mosel's most esteemed estates, renowned for its pure and racy Rieslings. This Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett hails from the steep, slate slopes of the Himmelreich vineyard in Graach, a site celebrated for imparting a distinct 'slaty stone' character. Prüm wines are particularly noted for their exceptional longevity and their precise ability to express the unique terroir and vintage characteristics. The 2024 vintage, despite being described as tricky overall in Germany, has yielded a 'gorgeous' and 'animating' wine, praised for its beautiful lightness and cool, restrained impression, making it a notable success for the estate.

## Interesting facts

- Joh. Jos. Prüm was founded in 1911 and is now run by Dr. Katharina Prüm, continuing a legacy of excellence.
- The estate is celebrated for producing Rieslings that can age for decades, often improving for 20-30 years or more.
- Despite a challenging growing season, the 2024 vintage for this wine is critically acclaimed as a 'gorgeous' success.
- The wine undergoes spontaneous fermentation, a traditional method that allows the vineyard's unique yeasts to shape its character.

## Food pairing

The high acidity and off-dry sweetness of this Mosel Riesling make it incredibly versatile for food pairing. Its vibrant acidity cuts through rich and fatty dishes, while the touch of residual sugar beautifully balances spicy flavors, preventing them from overwhelming the palate. The wine's light body and pronounced intensity allow it to complement delicate seafood and poultry without overpowering them, while its inherent fruitiness harmonizes with aromatic spices found in Asian cuisines.

## Wine making process

The winemaking at Joh. Jos. Prüm begins with manual harvesting of 100% Riesling grapes from the Graacher Himmelreich vineyard. Following careful selection, the grapes undergo gentle pressing. Fermentation is spontaneous, relying on indigenous yeasts, which contributes to the wine's complexity and unique character. The wine then benefits from a long aging process on fine yeast (sur lie aging), a technique that builds texture and further enhances its depth before bottling.