Schmitt Sohne Spätlese

Filed in archive German Wines on August 15, 2006

We had some guests over a few weeks ago, and while they do drink wine, they aren't normally that adventurous. They especially don't enjoy the dry reds that my husband and I often drink, so we decided to go with wines that just about anyone likes - sweet German wines.

One of the surprises of the evening was this bottle of Piesporter Michelsberg Spätlese. Now we weren't really surprised that it was good, but more so, it was how good and how much sweeter it was than expected.

We found it at our local ABC liquer store for under ten dollars. I also found information about the vintage at the Schmitt Sohne web site:

Produced from fully ripened grapes, this moderately full bodied wine is lush and rich with flavors of ripe apricots and peaches. The mouth feel is well balanced and firm, giving it an intense and lingering finish. Excellent by itself or served with cheeses, Oriental food and richly flavored meats and poultry.

Alcohol: 7.5 - 8.0% by vol.
Total acidity: 7.5 - 8.5 gr./Ltr.
Residual sugar: 46.0 - 55.0 gr./Ltr.
Varietals: Riesling, Müller-Thurgau