Summer Wines Almost Under $15: A Big Bottle of German Happiness

Originally published on July 30, 2008.

At $15.99 it’s just over $15, but it’s a Liter, so if you equivalized it to a standard 750ml bottle, it would be under $15. And a big bottle of happiness is worth the extra dollar.

This wine is the liquid equivalent of a summer beach read (chick-lit, to be specific): a little sweet, a little racy, and it goes down quick and easy. It has more in common with those trashy celeb-filled magazines than with War & Peace, but a life filled only with Russian novels can be a little overbearing.

Halbtroken’ means ‘half dry’. And if you’re one to turn up your nose at the idea of any wine with a bit of sweetness to it, then you’ll be missing out on a really fabulous summer drinking experience. That little hint of sweetness makes this wine the perfect pairing for spicy foods. Or salty foods. Or just an empty glass in need of liquid fulfillment. It has classic Riesling notes of lemon/lime, minerals, green apples with the crisp acidity that plays off against the sweetness and makes you want to sip.

Not much more to say – this isn’t a wine meant to inspire rapturous analysis and discussion. It’s meant to be drunk. Cold, and often. Enjoy.