Viniou Reviews
The Willi Schaefer Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett 2020 is a superb showcase of Mosel’s unique terroir and the estate’s renowned craftsmanship. Crafted primarily from Riesling, this Kabinett originates from the steep, slate-rich slopes of Graacher Himmelreich, a prized vineyard noted for its capacity to infuse wines with remarkable minerality and finesse. The 2020 vintage in Mosel was marked by optimal ripening conditions that maintained crisp natural acidity while allowing the fruit to express its full aromatic potential. Willi Schaefer, a benchmark producer, employs traditional, gentle vinification practices, favouring spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts and ageing in large old oak barrels, which preserve both purity and subtlety in the finished wine. The result is a semi-sweet white wine with delicate notes of white peach, green apple, lime zest and wet stone, lifted by a vibrant acidity and a gracefully balanced sweetness.
The Mosel region, nestled along the winding Mosel River in western Germany, is celebrated for producing some of the world’s most ethereal Rieslings. The combination of a cool, marginal climate and steep, south-facing slopes of blue Devonian slate imparts a signature minerality and remarkable longevity to the wines. With a winemaking tradition dating back to Roman times, Mosel’s vineyards are shaped by history and human determination, often requiring painstaking manual labour due to the challenging terrain. The cool climate tempers ripening, resulting in wines of low alcohol, scintillating freshness, and extraordinary aromatic complexity.
For food pairing, this Kabinett’s gentle sweetness and brisk acidity suit a wide range of dishes. It pairs beautifully with spicy Asian cuisine, such as Thai green curry or Szechuan stir-fry, where the touch of sweetness offsets heat and intensifies aromatic spices. Classic German fare—think roasted pork with apples or smoked trout with horseradish—also harmonise effortlessly, as do fresh shellfish and goat’s cheese. Try it, too, with light fruit-based desserts for a refined finale.
Serve this wine well-chilled, ideally between 8-10°C, to enhance its vibrancy and delicate aromatics. Enjoy young for its lift and freshness, but it will reward patience with even greater harmony over the next decade.
