Monzinger Niederberg Riesling VDP Erste Lage Magnum

The Monzinger Niederberg is one of the quiet classics of the Nahe — not a loud wine, but one that reveals more and more in the glass.

Emrich-Schönleber has been managing the steep slopes around Monzingen for generations. The Niederberg stands on slate and quartzite, partly interspersed with coarse pebbles — soils that give the Riesling this typical salty minerality. The vines are over 35 years old, their roots reach deep enough to maintain tension even in dry vintages.

Spontaneous fermentation, aging in large wooden barrels: no new oak that overpowers the wine, but a neutral vessel that lets the fruit and the site speak. In the glass, the Niederberg shows citrus peel, white flowers, and a hint of wet slate. The acidity is precise and lively, without stinging — the finish long, salty, with a mineral aftertaste.

The magnum bottle slows down the maturation and gives the wine additional depth. Temperature: 10–12 °C.

• Pan-fried sea bass with caper butter
• Asparagus with hollandaise sauce
• Goat cheese with a little honey