The Wine: Elbling
by Brook FischerArticle Tools
Meet the Grape: Elbling is an ancient white grape variety which is most predominantly grown in Germany’s Mosel-Saar-Ruwer region, a place already famous for some of the world’s best Rieslings. Most of the white wines from this slate-rich area are lighter and crisper than many other German wines, and Elbling is no exception. Often called racy and piquant, Elbling’s tartness is not for everybody. The grape is also used as a base for Germany’s sparkling wine, Sekt, and grown in tiny neighboring Luxembourg, though rarely exported.
Do Your Wurst: There are around 5,000 varieties of German beer, and most would argue that beer is a must with German food. Me? I’d rather lobby for an obscure wine that nobody’s heard of. Elbling’s acidity can help you make the transition from Weisswurst to Bratwurst to Knockwurst and will even liven up fruity desserts like apfelstreuselkuchen (apple crumb cake).
One For Ten: Guess you can’t take the “bling” out of Elbling, but the tangy 2004 Mathias Dostert Elbling Nitteler Leiterchen is a good bet for an even ten bucks.
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