Budget rosés and whites from Germany

I’m off to a late start this year as I had a brief encounter with Covid at the beginning of January. But I’m fully recovered now and ready for my first tasting, finally. We’ll start things off with a tasting pack that’s been waiting for me for a while now. Seven wines from relatively unknown German producers: Three rosés and four whites. Well, let’s see what they can offer! [This tasting was originally published on DMueller.com.]

• 2021 Bettina Schumann Grauburgunder Badisch Rotgold 83 Points

  Germany, Baden

  The colour is a glowing, transparent orange pink. Clean nose, nice primary fruit characteristics. Strawberries, water melon, blood orange, red apples. There’s also a layer of sweet candy. On the palate, comes across as slightly off-dry with low tannings and medium alcohol. Somewhat warm feeling, riper than in the bouquet. Acidity is low. This is easy drinking, not much complexity. It would drink even better if the alcohol wasn’t slightly out of balance. Cuvée of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Pinot Gris. (Read more of my tasting notes on DMueller.com.)

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• 2021 Hinterland Connection Rosé trocken 88 Points

  Germany, Rheinhessen

  Bright pink. Fresh bouquet of grapefruits, red currants, raspberries, rhubarb and refreshing notes of mint. In the mouth, the rosé is dry with a slim body. Acidity is pronounced, but not high. Refreshing, nicely fruity and well-balanced. Good drinking flow. Drink through 2024. (Read more of my tasting notes on DMueller.com.)

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• 2021 Dambach Cuvée Rosé trocken 85 Points

  Germany, Pfalz

  This is an assemblage of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Pale pink. A little restrained on the nose. Cherries, strawberries, cassis. Some green notes, too. Green pepper, rhubarb. Dry, pleasant acidity, good grip. Fuller body in comparison to the first two rosés. The fruit is in balance with the herbaceous aromas, although the wine doesn’t quite sing for me. Drink through 2025. (Read more of my tasting notes on DMueller.com.)

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• 2021 Wine Girls United Sunny Cuvée Weiß trocken 82 Points

  Germany, Rheinhessen

  Pale lemon yellow. Clean bouquet, immediately fruity: Passion fruit, mango, lychee, peach, lime. Ticks all the boxes of its grape varieties Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Blanc. Unfortunately, the wine is less seductive on the palate. The fruitiness and acidity do not quite go hand in hand for my taste. I’m even inclined to say the acidity isn’t integrated well, standing out awkwardly as a result. Drink through 2024. (Read more of my tasting notes on DMueller.com.)

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• 2021 Wine Girls United Yummy Riesling trocken 81 Points

  Germany, Rheingau

  Pale lemon yellow with a green tint. The bouquet is clean and of medium intensity. Green apples, pear, white peach. Falls short on the taste with a dominant acidity without enough primary fruit tastes to keep things balanced. Drink through 2024. (Read more of my tasting notes on DMueller.com.)

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• 2021 Weingut Bernhard Wolfspakt 86 Points

  Germany, Rheinhessen

  Very aromatic in the glass. The exotic fruits are unmistakable: passion fruit, ripe mango, quince. There are also grassy aromas, asparagus as well, not atypical for Sauvignon Blanc. On the palate, lime, passion fruit, ripe pineapple. This is not a complex wine, but it offers fruity drinking pleasure. Drink through 2024. (Read more of my tasting notes on DMueller.com.)

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• 2021 Weingut Stein Riesling & Gewürztraminer Spätlese 84 Points

  Germany, Nahe

  Pale lemon yellow. The bouquet offers rose petals, ripe apricots, peach, and nectarines. Acidity is on the lower end while the sweetness has a fruity profile with a taste of nectarines and ripe oranges but it leans towards sweet candy because it’s not offset by a more prominent acidity. Simple off-dry Spätlese with an aromatic profile for those who like fruity wines without much acidity. For me personally, it lacks complexity. Drink through 2024. (Read more of my tasting notes on DMueller.com.)

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