Raumland, Riesling Sekt brut

'Sekt' is what the Germans call their sparkling wine, and Volker Raumland has an excellent reputation for making sparklers, so much so that many top wineries in Germany trust him with turning their grapes into Sekt. This non-vintage Riesling Sekt, the cheapest in the Raumland range, was made according to the methode champenois and disgorged in 09/2009, creating a wine that is like being struck by a well balanced and expertly-handled sledgehammer made of mineral and fresh acidity.

As you might expect from a sparkling wine made from Riesling, the Raumland has very focussed, almost razor-sharp acidity, firing bubbles left right and centre. Once you adjust to the firework in your glass, you discover a wine with a fine, elegant nose and great mousse. A concentrated wine, the Raumland Sekt combines lime, green apple, mineral and acidity into a blend of immense and pure freshness, with a hint of German austerity to it perhaps.