Riesling - Terroir and Aromas

Red shale and herbal aroma

Red shale and herbal aroma
Red shale and herbal aroma

This shale gets its red color through the incorporation of iron. The soil type is found for example in the Roter Hang (Rheinhessen), in the Ürziger Würzgarten (Mosel) and in the Birkweiler Kastanienbusch (Pfalz).

The Rieslings that grow an these shale soils can smell and taste almost severe and eccentric in their early years, and as a rule they require somewhat more time in order to develop their aromas.

The fine nuances of hayseed, light, spicy herbal notes and terse minerality are characteristic of red shale. When such Rieslings from red shale have reached their full quality potential they begin to exhibit very individual and above all impressive personalities.

Text: From the book "Riesling". By courtesy of HALLWAG-Verlag.
Text: © HALLWAG-VERLAG

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