# Rotlack Riesling Kabinett (2021)

- **Producer:** Schloss Johannisberg
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Riesling
- **Region:** Rheingau, Germany
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 11.0%
- **Average price:** €25
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 8–10 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** peach, apple, orange, lemon, blossom, ginger

## About this wine

Schloss Johannisberg is one of the world's most historic wine estates, with over 1,200 years of viticultural history in the Rheingau region of Germany. In 1720, the estate made history by planting exclusively Riesling, becoming the world's first single-varietal Riesling vineyard. The historic castle sits directly on the 50th parallel north, overlooking the Rhine river. The estate is also famous for creating the color-coded seal system (Lack) in the 18th century to distinguish quality tiers, where the Rotlack (Red Seal) designates their legendary Kabinett tier.

## Interesting facts

- In 1720, Schloss Johannisberg became the world's very first single-varietal Riesling vineyard.
- The estate accidentally discovered the Spätlese (late harvest) winemaking process in 1775.
- Rotlack (Red Seal) bottle foil has indicated the estate's Kabinett quality tier since the 18th century.
- Wooden oak casks used at the estate are made from trees grown in Schloss Johannisberg's own forest.

## Food pairing

The light body and subtle off-dry residual sweetness balance chili heat and aromatic spices in Asian dishes. Meanwhile, the electric, high acidity cuts effortlessly through rich seafood and creamy cheeses, resetting the palate between bites.

## Wine making process

Grapes are grown exclusively in the monopole single vineyard Schloss Johannisberg on south-facing slopes composed of Taunus quartzite with loam, clay, and loess topsoil. Cultivated under sustainable, Fair'n Green certified viticulture, grapes are carefully hand-harvested. Fermentation takes place under strict temperature control primarily in stainless steel tanks to retain pure fruit purity and vibrant minerality, followed by 5 months of aging on the fine lees prior to bottling.