Rheingold - The German Wine Renaissance

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In Vino Veritas - Rated
If you are looking for a traditional wine book about German wine with ornate labels and the scenic photographs of the vineyards bounded by castles, then this is not the book for you. This work provides an insight by a flying winemaker who sees the benefits of the new world of wines whilst wanting to maintain many of the German wine traditions.

Riesling is increasing in popularity worldwide with the new world wines leading the way. German Riesling should be at the forefront of this change in the tastes of the wine consumers of the world. Owen Bird outlines how this can be done whilst maintaining many of the traditions that make German Riesling grand.

Many consumers of wine remember German Riesling as being cheap and sweet and have not had the opportunity to sample some of the finest Riesling of the world. Whilst working in the wine industry in Australia I have experienced some of the great Rieslings in the world. Having spent time tasting Riesling in Germany I have experienced some of the finest Riesling in the world which is produced there. The German vignerons know that they produce some of the best Riesling in the world, but the rest of the world is yet to find them.

Owen Bird outlines how this renaissance in wine can be achieved in an informative manner that is easy to read. The use of Australian black humour lightens what could be wrongly perceived as very heavy reading. It was a book that was hard to put down because of how well it is written and with the occasional pieces of humour gives not only an insight into the German wine industry but also into the author who having worked around the world and who now calls Germany home.

The only question that remains is whether the German industry has the fortitude to take on board Bird’s suggestions and restore itself to the first choice when one looks for a Riesling.