#THECHALIST Cha's Selection of Wines from Germany taking the Streets of NYC

Germany is usually known for its world-class Rieslings, which are consistently refreshing and aromatic. The precision and clean flavors of a German Riesling make it an easy go-to for wine and food pairings. When I enjoy staple foods and experiences in NYC, I am mainly looking for reliability, good quality, and affordable price, which is exactly what German Rieslings deliver. But German wine also goes beyond Riesling, producing a number of other white wines as well as sparkling, rosé, and reds. Exploring a country’s wine offerings while rediscovering a favorite local area makes for a perfect afternoon adventure.

Now, I am reclaiming the streets of NYC’s busiest neighborhoods and finally enjoying them along with other locals. I spent the day down in the Lower Eastside (LES), formally known as “Little Germany,” and brought a few wines along with me. Though there’s little evidence of its German roots today, the LES easily transports you to the eclectic and hip atmosphere of Berlin. Whether it’s the all black uniform of city dwellers, graffiti tagging that decorates the store fronts of boutiques, or the additional outdoor seating that has made NYC streets feel more European these days, the whole experience feels transportive. It’s worth meandering around this neighborhood with a friend or, in my case, with a few familiar wines.

One of my favorite parts of the LES are its markets. After I wandered the newly built Essex Street Market and took in the smells of fresh coffee, pastas and cheeses, I realized that this is the life line of the neighborhood with vendors from all cultures. Yet, the market still offers the quaintness and familiarity of an old market. On the weekend, you can typically find me spending my time in this neighborhood as I enjoy a vibrant ‘Day Party’. Yes, LES has become the center for some of the most popular rooftop parties. Perfect sunsets, great DJs, and beautiful people have made this area one of the most sought-after experiences that you just have to experience for yourself.

If you know anything about me, I am the Queen of the Dollar Oyster spots in NYC. Seriously. Armed with a great Sekt in hand, I ordered a fresh dozen of New York Oysters. “Sekt” is the German word for any sparkling wine made in Germany, from any grape. In this case, I chose a Riesling Sekt. You know I could not talk about German wines without mentioning Riesling, often coined as a Sommelier’s secret weapon, mainly because of its endless potential, ranging from dry to sweet, from still to sparkling.

My wine of choice was the 2012 Schlossgut Diel Reserve Extra Brut from the Nahe region, which is made using the traditional method (or the champagne method) with 100% Riesling from single vintage grapes from 2012. This Extra Brut style (less than 2 grams of residual sugar) was aged over 68 months in lees, yielding a wine with rounder texture and enhanced fruit aromas. The combined roundness and fragrances make this the perfect sparkling wine for strong-flavored seafood, like my oysters, or heavily seasoned dishes with a spicy kick to them, like Thai curries.

Along with sophisticated white wines, Germany offers elegant reds. Some of my favorite German red wines are the party-friendly Spätburgunders. Don’t fret, “Spätburgunder” just means Point Noir, which is abundant across Germany’s 13 wine regions. I have been known to surprise a few friends by ordering this variety, which showcases a nice balance between subtle earth notes and fresh fruit flavors. The 2016 Weingut Ziereisen Spätburgunder Talrain from Baden had notes of chicory and raspberry, making it the perfect pairing for a good old-fashioned NYC deli sub sandwich. Spicy prosciutto, chilies and fresh arugula were delightfully complemented by this Spätburgunder.

2016 Weingut Ziereisen Spätburgunder Talrain

Additionally, I was excited to get my hands on the 2018 Clemens Busch Riesling Kabinett Marienburg. Germany’s 2018 vintage for Riesling recently hit the shelves and this vintage (especially from the Mosel) is known for its great harvest conditions, unlike some previous years, which had to endure the challenges of both spring frost and hail. 2018 was such a bountiful vintage and this Clemens Busch Riesling shows much riper fruit and rounder acidity, while still holding on to its structure. Biodynamic winemaking is reflected in a nice clean finish, which further expresses the region’s distinct blue slate soil. The Kabinett style is the perfect pour to wrap up my day in the LES. I paired it with Havarti, a Danish cheese that’s known for being equally buttery, sweet and acidic.

To encourage you to explore German wines and become more familiar with the styles of the country, Wine.com is running a promo through the end of the year. When you buy 6 or more bottles of German wine, you get 10% off with the code GERMANY10.

I ended the afternoon looking at the city through a new lens. Enjoying these wines and my city together was the best way to spend the afternoon. I love wine with little fuss, but with a great expression of terroir that can help me connect to place far away or bring me closer to home. Don’t be afraid to rediscover familiar and common grapes in different styles, or to try new regions and to get a new perspective on the wines you love, or maybe even seek out grapes you have dismissed. German wines are definitely worth your time.

If you have trouble identifying which German wines you might like, check out this guide of German wines to try based on your favorite wines. For more information on German wines, check out the German Wine USA website for information on the wines, food pairing ideas, and other fun facts.