WCOW: Spain VS. Germany

To celebrate the 2010 World Cup of Soccer in South Africa we are hosting a few nation VS. nation competitions of our own whenever two major wine producing countries meet.

Match 7 has Spain facing off against Germany in the semifinal to decide who will face Holland in the finals. The theme for the match is Budget White wines and both countries produce a wide selection. Germany's budget wines are often produced in a off-dry or even semi-sweet style and come from the Rheinhessen where yields are very high. Spain's budget whites are less easily typified and come from all over the country due to inexpensive land and labour (relatively speaking). The two wines we selected for the match-up at under $10 and offer good typicity for the theme.

Spain's Wine: Castillo de Monseran 2007 Carinena Viura
Region: Aragón
Cost: $8.99
Alcohol: 12.5%
Notes: Dry, with citrus fruit, mineral, mediterranean fruit flavours. Moderately intense and refreshing. Excellent value. Pairs well with white fish.




Germany's Wine: Blue Nun Qualitatswein
Region: Rheinhessen
Cost: $9.99
Alcohol: 9.5%
Notes: Off-dry, blend of Silvaner and Muller-Thurgau. Notoriously known as a cheap, pure quality wine, popular in the 70's. Modern example is well made with modern techniques. Simple, far from complex, but not the swill of old. Matches many dishes.

The Conclusion:

Complexity (Nose): Castillo de Monseran
Complexity (Palate): Castillo de Monseran
Food Friendly: Blue Nun Qualitatswein
Concentration: Blue Nun Qualitatswein
Expression of Terroir: Castillo de Monseran
Value: Castillo de Monseran
Winner: Castillo de Monseran

Despite the fact that the modern-day Blue Nun is miles better than the sweet, 70's export favourite, in this match-up is loses out to the Spanish Viura - an echo of Germany's performance on the pitch. The Spanish wine, for the price, offers excellent concentration and expression of the hot, arid terroir it comes from.
 - Liam Carrier

Next Match: We'll switch gears for the World Cup Final on Sunday, July 11th and have the Dutch face-off against the Spanish in a battle of beers. Stay tuned.

WCOW: Germany VS. Argentina

To celebrate the 2010 World Cup of Soccer in South Africa we are hosting a few nation VS. nation competitions of our own whenever two major wine producing countries meet.

Match 6 has Germany facing Argentina in a classic Quarterfinals battle on the pitch and a war of aromatic whites off the field. Native to Argentina, the Torrontés grape produces lovely white wines that have refreshing acidity and thrive in cold, dry conditions - similar to Riesling grown in Germany. Both wines are under $25 and both are new to us at Icon Wines.

Germany's Wine: Schloss Reinhartshausen 2008 Riesling
Region: Rheingau
Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 12%
Notes: Dry but fruity with the slightest hint of residual sugar coming from the concentrated fruit flavours. Tangy citrus palate with lemon sorbet and grapefruit peel. Youthful aromas of lime zest and slate. Good quality and well balanced.

Argentina's Wine: Crios de Susana Balbo 2009 Torrontés
Region: Cafayate
Cost: $17.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Notes: Dry with just the slightest residual sugar. Aromas of honey, spring flowers, apricots, tangerines and light minerals notes. Flavours of citrus fruit and bitter steel with vibrant acidity. Good quality and well balanced. Good typicity for a Torrontés.

The Conclusion:

Complexity (Nose): Crios de Susana Balbo
Complexity (Palate): Schloss Reinhartshausen
Food Friendly: Schloss Reinhartshausen
Concentration: Schloss Reinhartshausen
Expression of Terroir: Crios de Susana Balbo
Value: Crios de Susana Balbo
Winner: Crios de Susana Balbo

The off-field match-up was very tight (as was the battle on the pitch). The Torrontés wins the battle for its expression of terroir and vibrancy. If you have yet to try an Argentina Torrontés do so soon! It makes a unique alternative to traditional Riesling.
- Liam Carrier

Next Match: TBA - If Spain goes through we'll have a Semi-Final match with two world wine powers facing off.

WCOW: Germany VS. Australia

To celebrate the 2010 World Cup of Soccer in South Africa we are hosting a few nation VS. nation competitions of our own whenever two major wine producing countries meet.

Match 1 has Germany taking on Australia in a battle of cool climate Rieslings. We chose two highly regarded wines that we had never previously tasted and sent them into a head-to-head, winner-takes-all, taste-off.

Germany's Wine: Loosen Bros. 2008 Riesling "Dr L"
Region: Mosel.
Alcohol: 8.5%
Price: $18.99 (BCLDB stores)
Notes: An off-dry, food-friendly, crowd pleasing Riesling from Mosel. Floral and stone fruit notes on the nose with a good balance of sweet fruit to acid on the palate with a long finish.
Full Review

Australia's Wine: Jacob's Creek 2007 Steingarten Riesling
Region: Barossa
Alcohol: 12.5%
Cost:: $24.50  (BCLDB stores)
Notes: A dry, slightly effervescent Riesling with excellent concentration of mineral and fruit flavours on the palate. A complex nose of lemon grass, butter, rubber, citrus and petrol notes.
Full Review

The Conclusion:

Complexity (Nose): Jacob's Creek
Complexity (Palate): Jacob's Creek
Food Friendly: Loosen Bros.
Concentration: Jacob's Creek
Expression of Terroir: Jacob's Creek
Value: Loosen Bros.
Winner: Jacob's Creek

For this match-up, the Aussie wine gets the win, somewhat redeeming the nation after its terrible showing on the pitch today (Germany won 4-0). That is not to say that Australia makes better Riesling than Germany on a whole, it doesn't, but it did win this battle, handedly. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie - Oi, Oi, Oi!
 - Liam Carrier and Hugh Carter

Next Match: June 20th, Italy VS. New Zealand in a battle of refreshing white wines.