2023 Sybille Kuntz Riesling Qualitätswein trocken

The best and largest plots of the 45 hectares of vineyards where SYBILLE KUNTZ Riesling grows are located on the grand cru site Niederberg-Helden in Lieser. The oldest vines thrive on these plots. They were planted in the 1920s as a "selection mass" and are still self-rooted. On a 70% slope, the midday sun hits the vines vertically and, in addition, the Moselle River reflects the sun with a mirror-like intensity.

The Qualitätswein is the first quality category to be harvested. The plots are in Lieser and Kues, planted with "young" vines up to 40 years old. The slope is 30-50% slope, the soil is a mix of slate and some quartz. The agricultural principles are biodynamic. Crop grows between the rows for a natural balance. A low yield is guaranteed by pruning the vines to 8-10 buds/vine. At the end of June, shortly after flowering, manual thinning of shoots is carried out, as well as the removal of leaves and secondary
shoots into the grape zone. This results in lightweight grapes with small berries that are perfectly exposed to the sun's rays. Total yield is 50 hl/ha which is approximately a bottle of Riesling per vine.

What is important for the timing of the harvest is reaching physiological ripeness in mid-October, with sugar values ​​of around 90° Oechsle (Specific gravity 90° = 1,090 kg/l or 22.5° Brix). The grapes are collected in small crates during harvest to ensure that they reach the cellar undamaged. In the maceration of the skin with closed tank press takes a few hours to enhance the natural aroma extraction. Vinification starts with native yeast and takes place in stainless steel tanks at temperatures between 16° and 18° C. Initially, fermentation is temperature controlled; the entire fermentation process covers a period of 6 to 8 weeks.

This is a classic biodynamic Riesling wine that is vibrant and well-textured with refined aromas. The Sybille Kuntz Weingut Riesling Qualitätswein trocken has a complex nose with notes of grapefruit, lime, chamomile and some honey and white flowers. Wonderfully fresh and elegant, beautifully dry with ripeness and tension and a playful sweet-sour balance that so beautifully characterizes the wines from the Moselle!