Boise Coop Wine Shop

A Visit from Germany: S. A. Prüm

• September 7, 2010
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S.A Prüm is a family-owned wine estate nestled on the banks of Germany’s serene Mosel River, at the heart of the country’s celebrated Mosel-Saar-Ruwer growing region. The Prüm family’s rich and ancient history in the mid-Mosel dates back to 1156, and they have produced wine commercially for over 200 years. Today, the estate comprises 40 acres of vineyards, over 15 acres of which are located within the famed Wehlener Sonnenuhr (“sundial of Wehlen”) domain. Named for the historic sundial painted on an outcrop of slate by a Prüm ancestor back in 1842, the incredibly steep Wehlener Sonnenuhr vineyard is a globally renowned source of what is arguably Germany’s finest Riesling. The estate has been in the hands of Raimund Prüm, owner and winemaker, since 1971. Under his leadership, the property has become one of the region’s most successful wineries, boasting an international reputation for the production of exquisite Rieslings.

2008 Essence Riesling, $11.99
A selection of grapes from some of the top vineyard sites in Germany’s Mosel-Saar-Ruwer region. Grapes are hand harvested in mid-October and undergo a gentle crush. The juice is fermented for four weeks in stainless steel tanks then bottled under Stelvin closure to preserve its fresh, youthful character. The result is an aromatic wine with scents of apricot and peach. The fresh fruit flavors are perfectly balanced by racy acidity with a light mineral character.

2007 Blue Riesling, Kabinett, $18.50
This estate-bottled Riesling is made from a selection of grapes grown in Germany’s Mosel-Saar-Ruwer region, characterized by very steep slopes and blue slate soil. The juice is fermented for eight weeks in stainless steel tanks and bottled sur lie under synthetic cork. It offers delicate aromas of stone fruit and citrus. It’s an elegantly structured wine, with a pronounced mineral character imparted by the slate-rich soil in which the grapes are grown.

2007 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling, Kabinett, $19.50
This estate-bottled, single-vineyard Riesling is produced from grapes grown in the famed gray slate soil of the renowned Wehlener Sonnenuhr vineyard in Germany’s Mosel region. The gray slate soils of the Sonnenuhr (sundial) vineyard have a high tin content which lends minerality to the wines. The grapes are hand-harvested and, following de-stemming and six hours of skin contact, ferment for nine weeks in stainless steel tanks. The resulting wine is bottled under Stelvin closure to preserve its fresh lemon and peach fruit flavors.

We are very lucky to have the winemaker and owner Raimund Prüm in the Wine Shop this Friday, September 10 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. He’ll be pouring samples and talking about his exceptional Rieslings. The wines will also be available for tasting on Saturday, September 11 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.