Pairing: Pear, Blue Cheese, and Walnut Salad Paired with a 2014 Selbach Oster Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Kabinett Riesling

Food:  Comice Pears are starting to appear again in the food markets in New Hampshire, a bit earlier than normal. They are, without any doubt, our very favorite pears … sweet and juicy! Their actual name is Doyenné du Comice and the variety originated in Angiers, France in the mid-19th Century. They are unparalleled in a salad of mixed greens, creamy blue cheese and walnuts, all dressed with a vinaigrette of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. An amazing flavor combination!

Wine:  The precariously steep, slate-covered slopes of the Zeltinger Sonnenuhr are recognized as among the most prestigious wine growing sites of the Mosel River region of Germany. And the Selbach family have been making wine in this region since the mid-1600’s. But the first vineyards in this area were planted in the 2nd Century by the Romans. The unique terroir of this region combined with the vast experience of the winemakers, passed down through many generations, results in impeccable wines. This Kabinett, made from early harvested grapes, is no exception.

Tasting Notes:  Color is pale yellow with a decidedly greenish tinge. Cut open a ripe honeydew melon, put your nose down close and inhale deeply. That’s it! That’s the nose of this superb wine. Although pure and clean and fresh are not usually descriptors of flavors, they are words that immediately come to mind when tasting this riesling. Now visualize a crystal clear mountain stream rippling over some rocks … take a sip … add some gentle sweetness … aaah … perfection. A truly stunning riesling … and pairs beautifully with every element of the salad, including the balsamic vinegar in the dressing. An exemplary riesling in every way.

Other Wines That Pair Well with Pear and Blue Cheese Salad:  Champagne (France), Chardonnay (California), Chenin Blanc (South Africa), Gewürztraminer (Alsace)

Other Food That Pairs Well with a German Riesling:  Apple Dishes, Asian Cuisine, Trout, Shellfish, Hazelnuts

A Great Read on German and Austrian Wines:  http://www.vinography.com/archives/2010/09/book_review_reading_between_th.html

A Source:  www.wine.com