Viniou Reviews
Joh. Jos. Prüm’s Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spätlese 2015 is a refined example of the Mosel’s masterful touch with Riesling. This singular white wine comes from the iconic Wehlener Sonnenuhr vineyard, renowned for its sunny exposure and steep, south-facing slopes that enable exceptional ripeness of fruit. Produced predominantly from Riesling grapes, the Spätlese (meaning ‘late harvest’) style ensures a delicate balance between natural sweetness and vibrant acidity, characteristic of top-class off-dry Mosel Rieslings. The 2015 vintage in the Mosel was widely celebrated for its favourable growing season, emphasising expressive fruit, clarity and precision. Winemaking at Joh. Jos. Prüm is deliberately hands-off, favouring stainless steel to preserve the aromatic purity, expressive minerality, and freshness that define the house style.
The Mosel region, winding along its eponymous river, enjoys a cool continental climate. It’s the remarkable slate soils, however, that lend these Rieslings their inimitable racy minerality and poise. Steep vineyards, often only worked by hand, absorb the warmth of the sun during the day and radiate it back at night, aiding in the slow, complex ripening of the grapes. The history of the region is rich; vines have grown here since Roman times, with the Mosel celebrated for its unique terroir-driven style and understated elegance.
Food pairings for this Spätlese should highlight its freshness, vibrant acidity and gentle sweetness. Classic combinations include aromatic Asian cuisine such as Thai green curry or Szechuan-style prawns, whose spice is tamed by the gentle residual sugar. Local German dishes like roasted pork with apple compote or a savoury onion tart (Zwiebelkuchen) also make charming companions, as do soft cheeses such as Brie or Camembert. For dessert, consider a lemon tart or poached pears to echo the wine’s citrus and stone fruit notes.
Serve this Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spätlese chilled, ideally between 8-10°C, to fully appreciate its aromatic intensity, lively acidity, and characteristic Mosel elegance. This wine is delightful in its youth yet has the structure to age gracefully for decades.
