# Thörle Essenheim Teufelspfad Riesling trocken (2024)

- **Producer:** Weingut Thörle
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Riesling
- **Region:** Rheinhessen, Germany
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Average price:** €29
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Later
- **Serving temperature:** 8–10 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** apple, peach, apricot, plum, lemon, grapefruit, smoke

## About this wine

Weingut Thörle in Saulheim, Rheinhessen, traces its winemaking history back to the 1600s. Since taking control in 2006, brothers Johannes and Christoph Thörle have led a quality revolution, focusing on low-intervention single-vineyard bottlings. The Essenheimer Teufelspfad site, known as the Devil's Path, sits on elevated mid-slopes rich in limestone and calcareous marl. Cool winds sweeping through the local valley moderate the microclimate, allowing grapes to ripen slowly while preserving vital acidity.

## Interesting facts

- The vineyard name Teufelspfad translates to Devil's Path, referencing an infamous local landmark in Essenheim.
- Vines are exposed to cool winds from the Selztal valley, promoting prolonged ripening and dense flavor concentration.
- Fermentation relies strictly on natural ambient yeasts inside large traditional neutral German oak casks.

## Food pairing

The high limestone acidity and rich concentration of this dry Riesling effortlessly slice through rich proteins and creamy sauces, while harmonizing with bright citrus and herb elements.

## Wine making process

Grapes were selectively hand-harvested in early October 2024. After gentle crushing and pressing, fermentation occurred spontaneously using indigenous vineyard yeasts. The wine was fermented entirely in traditional 1,200-liter neutral German oak casks known as Stückfass. It matured on its full lees sur lie until summer 2025 to develop structural depth and subtle texture prior to bottling.