Schatzel, Naturweiss 2020

The Schätzel family has been producing wine since 1350, making them the oldest winemaking family in the Rheinhessen. The red slate of the vineyards around Nierstein, where the estate is based, spans six hectares, of which the majority is Riesling. In 2008, when Kai Schätzel took over his family’s estate, he transformed it to organic and biodynamic farming and reintroduced traditional winemaking methods. Naturweiss 2020 is an awesome blend of Riesling, Silvaner, Müller-Thurgau and Pinot Blanc. In terms of natural winemaking, it goes one up from "low-intervention" to literally "no-intervention" - i.e. it is about as natural a wine as it is possible to make. The nose of blossom, flowers and stone fruits leads to a dry palate with flavours of apple, citrus, peaches and hazelnuts; a subtle yeasty note combines with mouthwatering acidity and a gorgeously saline finish. For lovers of natural wine, this is a must-try.