Wines Nahe Beisiegel - Riesling Trocken Traisener Rotenfels - 2023

This 2023 white wine from Weingut Beisiegel in the Nahe region suggests a fresh and vibrant dry Riesling, referenced as a “Cuvée Riesling Trocken Traisener Rotenfels”. While precise details about the blend remain a little ambiguous, the emphasis on “Trocken” (dry) and the named Rotenfels site indicate a wine that is both mineral-driven and lively, a hallmark of top Nahe Rieslings. Produced in a classic 75cl bottle, one can expect clear expressiveness, pronounced freshness, and perhaps stone fruit and citrus notes, carried by a crisp acidic backbone. The Rotenfels, with its distinctive reddish volcanic cliffs, is known for imparting a subtle, smoky minerality and a unique sense of place to its wines.

The Nahe is a fascinating wine region, bridging the Mosel and the Rheingau, and is prized for its diversity of soils — volcanic, slate, quartzite and gravel — within its small area. The Traisen sector, home to Rotenfels, is renowned for sheer cliffs giving rise to ideal conditions for Riesling, benefiting from warm days and cool nights. This climate encourages a long, slow ripening which allows grapes to develop aromatic complexity without losing their crucial, refreshing acidity. Sometimes outshone by its famous neighbours, Nahe offers some of Germany’s best value and most expressive dry whites — Proven by producers like Beisiegel.

An ideal food pairing for a dry Riesling from this region would be dishes that highlight freshness and precision. Think simple grilled freshwater fish, lightly seasoned white meats, or even a classic German preparation such as “Forelle Müllerin Art” (trout meunière). Vegetarian pairings like asparagus with hollandaise or an aromatic Thai vegetable stir-fry would also complement the wine’s zesty nature. If you prefer local charcuterie, a slice of mild white sausage on rye works beautifully.

For optimal enjoyment, serve chilled but not overcooled, between 8 and 10°C. This will allow the wine’s aroma—its citrus, white blossom, and subtle mineral notes—to unfurl gradually in the glass, offering delightful refreshment and typicity of the Nahe terroir.