Weinhaus Kessler Riesling Auslese

Description

Weinhaus Kessler Riesling Auslese is a German Prdikatswein-level sweet Riesling in a standard 750ml bottle. Auslese meaning “select harvest” denotes grapes picked at elevated ripeness levels, yielding a wine with pronounced sweetness balanced by Riesling’s signature acidity.

Quick Facts: Style: Auslese (Prdikatswein) | Origin: Germany | Varietal: 100% Riesling | Producer: Weinhaus Kessler

Production & Heritage

Weinhaus Kessler operates as a German wine house, sourcing and producing wines under its own label. Auslese-designated wines must meet strict minimum must weight requirements under Germany’s Prdikatswein classification, ensuring the grapes carry a high concentration of natural sugar at harvest. The Riesling grapes for this bottling are selectively picked at peak ripeness, a process that concentrates fruit character and allows the finished wine to retain residual sweetness while maintaining the varietal’s hallmark bright acidity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe stone fruit apricot and white peach before moving into honeyed floral tones. Underneath, a faint mineral edge and hint of citrus blossom add complexity.

Taste: The entry is lush and fruit-forward, with apricot and ripe peach flavors dominating the first impression. At mid-palate, honeyed sweetness emerges alongside white flower notes, checked by a firm spine of acidity that keeps the wine from turning cloying. A subtle citrus brightness and whisper of spice round out the profile.

Finish: The finish is long and gently creamy, with lingering stone fruit and honey. A mineral undertone persists, leaving a clean, balanced impression.

How to Drink Kessler Riesling Auslese

Serve well chilled, between 810C (4650F), in a standard white wine glass to focus the aromatics. This wine is best enjoyed on its own or with food, and its sweetness-to-acidity ratio makes it a versatile pairing partner.

• Spritz: Top with a splash of sparkling water and a lemon twist for a low-ABV aperitif that highlights the wine’s peach and honey character.
• Hugo variation: Use in place of Prosecco with elderflower syrup, mint, and soda for a richer, fruit-driven version of the classic Hugo.
• Wine cocktail base: Combine with fresh ginger, lime, and soda water for a simple highball that leans on the Riesling’s natural acidity.

Best For

• Introducing someone to German Prdikatswein and the Auslese category
• Pairing with a cheese course at a dinner party
• Dessert wine service alongside fruit-based tarts and pastries
• A gift for anyone exploring off-dry and sweet white wines

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Kessler Riesling Auslese taste like? It delivers ripe apricot and peach sweetness layered with honey and white floral tones, kept in balance by a firm streak of bright acidity and a touch of minerality.

How does Kessler Riesling Auslese compare to Dr. Loosen Riesling Auslese? Dr. Loosen’s Auslese hails from Mosel, where steep slate soils tend to produce a more pronounced mineral-driven, laser-focused acidity profile. Kessler’s version leans toward rounder stone fruit and honey richness, reflecting a style often associated with warmer German growing areas.

Is Kessler Riesling Auslese good for beginners? Yes its approachable sweetness balanced by crisp acidity makes it an excellent entry point for anyone new to German wine classifications or sweet white wines in general.

Where is Kessler Riesling Auslese made? It is produced by Weinhaus Kessler in Germany, drawing on Riesling grapes harvested at the Auslese Prdikat level of ripeness.

What foods pair well with Kessler Riesling Auslese? Mild blue cheeses like Gorgonzola dolce complement the wine’s sweetness; foie gras or duck liver pt echoes its honeyed richness; spicy Thai or Indian dishes benefit from the residual sugar taming heat; fresh fruit tarts mirror its stone-fruit character; and roasted pork with a fruit glaze bridges the sweet-savory divide.

What sizes does Kessler Riesling Auslese come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Kessler Riesling Auslese worth the price? It positions as an accessible, entry-level Auslese that delivers the hallmark characteristics of the Prdikat category concentrated fruit, balancing acidity, and genuine complexity without the premium attached to single-vineyard estate bottlings.

Why Kessler Riesling Auslese?

Auslese sits at a sweet spot in the German Prdikatswein hierarchy riper and more concentrated than Sptlese, yet more versatile at the table than the intensely sweet Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese tiers above it. This Weinhaus Kessler bottling captures that balance, delivering genuine Auslese-level fruit concentration and honeyed complexity at a price point that makes the category accessible. For drinkers curious about the depth Riesling can achieve when picked at advanced ripeness, it serves as a clear, well-structured example of the style. The interplay between residual sweetness and bright acidity is what defines great Riesling Auslese, and this wine delivers on both fronts.