Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling 2009, Zimmermann Graeff

… is cloying, over-sugared, facile — with that kind of stagnant sweetness that leaves a residue of post-boiled-sweet-overdose gank in your mouth for about an hour afterwards

The label of this (unpleasant) bottle of Riesling, featuring some funkyish blue graphics

You know how German wines are unfairly shunned on account of a reputation for sickliness garnered by the years of Hock, Liebfraumilch and Blue Nun? You know how getting some people to try a glass of German Riesling is like persuading Fidel Castro to front a Gilette ad campaign?

Well, let a doubter taste this Piesporter Michelsberg and you’ll set back the cause a decade or two. Because it’s cloying, over-sugared, facile. That kind of stagnant sweetness that leaves a residue of post-boiled-sweet-overdose gank in your mouth for about an hour afterwards.

Okay, so it’s not an expensive Riesling. But, hey, I’ve drunk plenty of great Rieslings at this price. I hoped we’d left this kind of thing behind.

So leave off persuading your friends to pick up a bottle of Zimmermann Graeff’s Michelsberg. You’d be better off pitching Castro that ad idea of yours.

Rating ☆ (0 stars)
ABV 9.5%
Price £5.99 from Majestic Wine

4 thoughts on “Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling 2009, Zimmermann Graeff”

  1. Oh No!

    A 0 star rating! Well, thanks for the honesty, I love Riesling and wave the flag when I can so if theres a duff one on Majestic it’s good to know!

    Cloying is not fun! Keep posting, love your reviews.

  2. Wine90 — I know! As I just posted on Twitter, being disappointed by a German Riesling is like being stood up by your best friend. Hurts all the more. Thanks, as ever, for your words.

    TSB — Christ alive, it sounds as though CJ’s experience rather puts my own discomfort in the shade. I enjoyed reading that…

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