# Jakob Tennstedt Riesling Valke (2021)

- **Producer:** Weingut Jakob Tennstedt
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Riesling
- **Region:** Mosel, Germany
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 12.0%
- **Average price:** €55
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** apple, lemon, peach, blossom, bread

## About this wine

Weingut Jakob Tennstedt is a singular natural producer situated in the Mosel region of Germany. Founded by Jakob Tennstedt, a former Michelin-starred restaurant chef who subsequently studied viticulture in Geisenheim and Udine, the estate focuses on reclaiming steep, historically renowned terrace vineyards in the remote Kautenbachtal valley near Traben-Trarbach. Working entirely by hand without mechanization, Tennstedt names his cuvées after wild animals inhabiting his vineyard ecosystem. 'Valke' is named after the falcon nesting near the grey-blue slate slopes.

## Interesting facts

- Winemaker Jakob Tennstedt was a Michelin-starred chef before pivoting to wine restoration in the Mosel.
- Each wine is named after vineyard animals; 'Valke' represents the falcon/kestrel.
- The vines are ungrafted, ranging between 50 and over 100 years old on steep slate terraces.
- This wine is bottled without fining, filtration, or any added sulfites.

## Food pairing

The piercing Mosel acidity cuts seamlessly through rich butter, roasted poultry, and delicate seafood fats, while the wine's texture and ambient oak contact handle rich mushroom dishes and pork effortlessly.

## Wine making process

Crafted with an uncompromising low-intervention philosophy. Grapes harvested from ungrafted 50 to 100+ year-old vines undergo a gentle, extended whole-bunch pressing lasting many hours. Fermentation occurs spontaneously using native yeasts in large neutral oak casks (500L to 1000L). The wine rests untouched on its full lees for 18 to 24+ months before being bottled directly from the cask without fining, filtration, or any added sulfur dioxide.