With 9% alcohol, this 22 year-old 1994 Michael Schneider Liebfraumilch from the Rheinhessen scored 18 (yes, 18) points on the Dionysian scale of a possible 20. Back 20 years ago, most Liebfraumilch wines were totally cloying; the sweetness over-powered the acids. This $8 bottle proved to be different.
At 22 years old, this most basic of German white wines, “The milk of the Virgin” as the names translates, was the perfect afternoon reception wine!
Its nose had petrol, white flowers, ripe pear and herbs. The color held up (good cellaring) and was bright gold with no hints of browning at all. The aftertaste lingered for over 30 seconds as the sweetness faded to refreshing acidity.
Fresh broccoli, garden peas and grilled shrimp over rice was delightful with the low-alcohol German wine.
I never though these wines were for anything but large summer parties. However, when made well, this Qualitatswein level wine taught me another lesson; there’s always something new to learn about wine. In vino veritas.
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