The Morning Claret

The Morning Claret

Learning to love Welschriesling, the Hungarian way

Simon J Woolf
Aug 25, 2014
∙ Paid
Wetzer Sag 2012 Olaszrizling (Front Label)

There are some things in life that cause me to come over all opinionated. Battery chicken farming and Montsanto spring to mind. Add to that climate change deniers ...  and Welschriesling.

Maybe I just need to get out more. Be that as it may, I don't claim that Welschriesling is evil, just terrifically dull - Especially compared to its near namesake, "proper" Riesling.

I drank gallons of the stuff last year - in Burgenland, it's the default choice for a simple aperitif, especially as a "spritzer" (50/50 wine and sparkling water). Mostly it's simple and refreshing, with decent acidity and no discernible flavour or character to trouble the idle quaffeur.

Somehow, I struggle with the fact that one of the world's noblest white grape varieties might be confused for this humble workhorse. And no, they are not related.

Olasz Rizling

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