Riesling Finesse
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed within 1 to 5 years from the vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Spicy Thai curries, glazed pork, fresh sushi
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Hailing from the historic vineyards of Hochheim am Main in the Rheingau, Künstler's Riesling Finesse is a beautiful expression of the region's unique microclimate. Unlike the steep slate cliffs of the central Rheingau, Hochheim's soils are rich in clay, loess, and sandy gravel, which retain warmth and moisture, moderated by the nearby Main River. This terroir yields Rieslings of exceptional roundness and fruit intensity. The 'Finesse' bottling is crafted in a feinherb (off-dry) style, paying homage to the historical 'Hock' wines that captivated British royalty, most notably Queen Victoria, during the 19th century. By carefully balancing natural residual sweetness with a vibrant vein of animating acidity, Gunter Künstler coaxes out a delicate, playful character that emphasizes pure orchard fruit and subtle mineral undertones.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Re-established in 1965 by Franz Künstler in Hochheim am Main, Weingut Künstler carries forward a family winemaking heritage dating back to 1648 in Moravia. Today, under the stewardship of Gunter Künstler, who took over in 1992, the estate has risen to become one of the Rheingau's most celebrated producers and a prominent member of the VDP. The winery is renowned for its meticulous management of legendary Erste and Grosse Lage vineyards, such as Hochheimer Hölle and Kirchenstück. Utilizing traditional large oak casks alongside modern stainless steel, Künstler crafts exceptionally precise, mineral-driven Rieslings and elegant Spätburgunders that beautifully express the unique clay-loess and limestone terroirs near the Main river.