The Auswine Forum

An OZ Riesling that's close or not better that the delicious, aromatic, fruity, off-dry, spicy food friendly, German Spatlese? One with 15~20gm (1.5~2% r.s.). I like fruity German riesling but deplore the price. Conversely, Oz Riesling is reasonably priced but without that hint of natural sweetness, it's too tart for my taste. For every bottle of Donnhoff Spatlese I pay, I can buy 5 bottles of say Jacob's Creek. That's too much! I wish the J.C. was made to match the D.S. in taste but rival the D.S. in price.

Lets be realistic here - German spatlese styles are expensive and there is a reason for that - they are rare and reasonably difficult to make. Jacobs Creek Riesling is inexpensive and there is a reason for that too - they are made to a formula and they are mass produced.

I think you need a reality check here. I want to drink Grange and pay Lindemans Bin 50 price for it, but guess what - that isnt going to happen either.

if you want somethign Australian that is dosed up with sugar and inexpensive, I think Lindemans still make Ben Ean moselle. or you could try the Brown Brothers Crouchen Riesling. but make no mistake, there are not German spatlese. These are inexpensive, but dont expect the refinment, fruit and spice of the Donhoff.

You could also try the Wellington FGR Riesling from Tasmania, it has forty grams/litre residual sugar, but I havent tasted it.

Try New Zealand as an alternative. Felton Road make some off dry rieslings that might fit the bil well, but these are not in the Jacobs Creek price range. I have tasted others, but dont have any notes.

cheers

Andrew

Go for the Kiwis...bit more similar in style...

I would suggest Pegasus Bay and Fromm as two standout examples.

Adam wrote:Go for the Kiwis...bit more similar in style...

I would suggest Pegasus Bay and Fromm as two standout examples.

I agree with Adam.
In addition to those two, try Danny Schuster and Mills Reef.

Agree with Adam, though the Fromm La Strada is probably closer than the peg bay to a spaltese - they do a range of rieslings the medium is the one you wanna grab

Ben Riggs makes a riesling which may suit your style under his Mr Riggs label.

Is just the thing with a large plate of prawns and at about only twice the JC price.

Graham

You could try some of the local Late Harvest styles... Alkoomi (Mt Barker, WA) do a good one (their standard label dry one can be a cracker too).
Not as sweet as a typical dessert style, though probably not as complex as a German.
The Dr Loosen Kabinnett and Dr L bottom of the range are also off-dry and distributed fairly widely in Australia at prices similar to locally produced wines.