I made a MISTAKE in this video!!! This video was shot several months ago and I have been hesitant to post it. The content and wines were so good I had to get it out to you. I was in a hurry during the process. I had the wines and passed them off for someone to mix them up for me. Once I had the wines in front of me bagged, I realized that two of them were taller than the rest. Wine 1 and Wine 4 therefore I had an idea that one of them might be the Assyrtiko. I went ahead and shot the video anyways but in hindsight I should have put in a substitute bottle so it wouldn’t stick out. As a one man show (with occasional help for mixing wines up), I try to work these tastings so they can really be blind. Producers do not pay to be in these blind tasting videos, they only offer samples - that’s how I can stay honest with my assessments. Being a one man show, it can be difficult to juggle everything but this was just a lesson so I don’t make the mistake again. Thanks for your support and understanding.
I appreciate the honesty! No hard feelings here. I understand its important to remain partial and this comment alone shows you are very dedicated to that. Love the content man!
A big fann of furmint and was pleased to see you enjoyed it. While Tokaj might be the bigger player in Hungary, Somló region produces quality examples. Keepup thegreat work
Hi Matthew, great to see the Etna Bianco here as well, maybe too young to for now but definitely the evolution will give so much pleasure to a drinker in the next 5-6 years
Great video as per usual, Matthew. As someone living in Austria and loves Grüner Veltliner, I would love if you made a video on the different GV from different parts of Austria. I saw that you have some videos where you taste individual bottles, but they are all a bit older, so would love to see a new take on this lovely grape!
Riesling is so hard to beat! I visited the Mosel region this year and was completely blown away by the quality of very unknown and small producers. We bought so many bottles with 15+ years of age for under €10 a bottle, many of them being absolutely stellar!!
A great range and selection of white wines. I do like Riesling, but my issue over all with Riesling is many of the ones I tend to find and have access to in my area, have a bit more residual sugar in them than I would prefer. I get not everyone likes high levels of acidity and I think adding some sweetness balances it out for many. But I don't mind acidity in wines at all. Albarino is certainly one of my favorite white wines. I like the salinity you tend to find in the Rias Baixas. But I also have to say I was excited to see Von Winning! I don't have access to many of their wines in my area, but there are a few. And the Paradiesgarten is one of them! It's got some amazing flavor to it. And maybe I'll contradict myself a bit here, I think it's got maybe a touch more residual sugar than I usually prefer. But at the same time, it's got so much else going for it. I've noticed when it comes to some whites, ones I tend to appreciate are ones that are aged on their lees. Now I've never really heard of Rieslings ever being treated like this. But wanted to ask you, since you have a lot more knowledge on the subject. I probably won't be able to find in my area, but still was curious if you knew of any examples of Rieslings aged on their lees.
Ahh Reisling, by far my favorite and most common drink. If I'm going for another high acid white I usually go for some higher end producers in Vinho Verde or Chablis. Great video as always!
When I saw the bottles I immediately knew that one of them was a dry Tokaji, likely a Furmint dominant blend. Albarino did come to mind, as did Muscadet, Picpoul, Juhfark from Somlo or a white wine from Tenerife. Due to prices and availability, Assyrtiko and Etna Bianco are difficult to get ahold of in this part of the world. Riesling is a tough varietal to best, but I would say near peers would be quality Gruner Veltliner, Furmint, Albarino and Welschriesling/Olaszrizling. With Etna Bianco and Assyrtiko you are paying a higher premium and it can be subjective as to whether or not their quality is higher than a similarly priced Riesling.
Gotta try all these wines. I love acidity :) I knew Assyrtico was gonna be in the list, and I knew no.4 was a Santorini when I listened to your tasting notes :) (I guess that shows the high level of your content) Just like Riesling, Assyrtico It can make beautiful wines, sweet or dry. It drinks well young but it drinks even better when aged, giving riesling-esque notes of petrol and complexity. The mineral quality is unparalleled. It can handle oak as well, when made in the Nykteri style. Not an aromatic variety like Riesling but the razor sharp acidity is there, although coming from a hot climate. Very versatile variety in general. When asked which is my favourite white variety I am between Riesling and Assyrtico :) Let me know when you decide to go to Greece :)
I absolutely love Etna Bianco but wouldn't consider that as an alternative to Riesling. The other ones I completely agree with. You could maybe find a high acidic Vermentino di Sardegna to compete with Riesling, but to be honest, objectively Riesling is the best grape in the world to make any wine with.
I love all these grapes and Riesling is my favourite but it depends what aspect of Riesling you want to replace. If someone wants an easy drinking high acid wine chenin, sauvignon blanc, Silvaner or Grüner all do the job. When it comes to food pairings none can compete totally but chenin from SA is my favourite replacement to the lime of Pfalz Riesling when it comes to Dim Sum for example
Cool concept for a video, and funny that the Riesling won. I've had a few von Winning and they are always fantastic. Two of my favorite high acid whites that can be Riesling alternatives: Muscadet and Chablis.
Appreciate the effort to stay objective. Since you’re on to Greeks, another grape in this style is Robola. A bit lighter on its feet than king Assyrtiko,but super dry and mineral, like liquid limestone. I think of it as Chablis minus the fruit.
For me Savennieres can be an alternative to Riesling as well as Hunter valley Semillon. It was cool to see all of these different countries compete but part of me is happy that an affordable example from the Pfalz took the cake hahaha
Erzsébet's Zafír tends to score the highest of their portfolio in my book, almost regardless of the vintage, perhaps because of the Hárslevelű component:). I'm a Tokaj local, so Furmint comes first for me with Riesling being a close second as one of my favourite grapes. Talking of 2019, one unforgettable experience was a Robert Weil Kiedricher Riesling 2019. If I couldnt drink Furmint any more for some reason, I would just switch over to Riesling for life...:)
Did I somehow get into your head and plan this video for you? I love, love, love Riesling but also Etna Bianco and Albariño. I have only had one Assyrtiko and a few dry Furmint but they were also up my alley. The QPR of Assyrtiko might not be as good as with the other wines, though. Two more grapes that could have been added to this video are Weißburgunder and Grüner Veltliner. They can sometimes scratch the Riesling itch but provide something slightly different. Maybe Chablis as well, but that might be stretching it. I'm sipping an interesting Etna Bianco while watching, it's a Blanc de noir made from Nerello Mascalese: "l'innesto" from Valenti, around 15€ here in Germany.
Oak aged Arinto is definitely a worthy replacement, but you might need to go to Portugal to find it since that stuff doesn’t seem to make it stateside haha
I'm a big Riesling-fan. In Germany even the entry wines offer quality at moderate prices. I buy mainly wines from Nahe, Pfalz and Rheinhessen. Is there any alternative? Maybe some Grüner Veltliner from Austria, some Albariño and perhaps Picpoul de Pinet. I rediscovered (good) Soave but that is imo not close to a Riesling-wine.
@@drmatthewhorkey Nice! I don’t know if Montefalco is giving out the best Grechetto wines though. MaybeI would suggest to try something from the Orvieto area, there’s nice examples there.
Nothing wrong with leaning from your mistakes and being honest about it ! Why don’t you buy a small randomizer like exists in other channels ? And for the record , I am a Riesling geek ! Just crazy hunting for old trocken to buy ! Lol!
Can't go past a good Gruner Veltliner if you want similar characters to Riesling. Otherwise Chenin Blanc for high acid and outrageous ageability, Vouvray is so often overlooked!
Yes, there are good Riesling wines, but I think Riesling is overrated. One may get used to certain types of wines and a sommelier or winegrower isn't really objective. An alternative to Riesling wines? Chenin Blanc and Solaris. Most people don't drink expensive wines, simply because they cannot afford it. I have a hostel and a third of my guests drink dry white wines, one in ten a red wine, either semi dry or dry. Mostly one glass. Just the wines available in Aldi or Lidl or other supermarkets. Under 10 Euro. I think that the reason less people drink wine is simple: As people can afford only wines under 10 Euro, they don't like what they drink and start drinking beer, tea and coffee. I serve a meal for 18 Euro, including wine, meatdishes and dessert. Why spend more than 20 Euro on two glasses or three, if I can give a whole meal for 18? If the cheap wines are neglected, people stop drinking wine and the expensive wines never get sold. I know, it is like cursing in church. Many vineyards are uprooted now because the market is full with bland cheap wines. 80% of the people buy cheap wines. You ignore them and the expensive wines never sell. Sons and daughters of wine growers don't take over and grass and flowers will take the place of vineyards. Just because the winemakers sell their bad wines cheap and loose wine drinkers. I have 85 different varietals and other fruits in my garden, I am a coach, gardener and I have a cheap bed and breakfast.
biggest fault Riesling has, it is and people forget it, semi aromatic grape. it is amazing when you smell and taste it but it is so in your face, you quickly get tired of it 😅
@@drmatthewhorkey Oh for sure. I am also not a big fan of overly acidic wines. But, there is a Riesling out there for everybody. That is what makes Riesling so special, I have had everything from sweet Rieslings all the way to bone dry Rieslings
I made a MISTAKE in this video!!!
This video was shot several months ago and I have been hesitant to post it. The content and wines were so good I had to get it out to you.
I was in a hurry during the process. I had the wines and passed them off for someone to mix them up for me. Once I had the wines in front of me bagged, I realized that two of them were taller than the rest. Wine 1 and Wine 4 therefore I had an idea that one of them might be the Assyrtiko. I went ahead and shot the video anyways but in hindsight I should have put in a substitute bottle so it wouldn’t stick out.
As a one man show (with occasional help for mixing wines up), I try to work these tastings so they can really be blind. Producers do not pay to be in these blind tasting videos, they only offer samples - that’s how I can stay honest with my assessments. Being a one man show, it can be difficult to juggle everything but this was just a lesson so I don’t make the mistake again.
Thanks for your support and understanding.
No explanation necessary. No one's questioning your integrity and honesty. Thanks for making the quality content that you do.
@@hottuna2006 Agree fully.
I appreciate the honesty! No hard feelings here. I understand its important to remain partial and this comment alone shows you are very dedicated to that. Love the content man!
What’s a plus point..more than 90 but less than 91?
@@maguro008yes
A big fann of furmint and was pleased to see you enjoyed it. While Tokaj might be the bigger player in Hungary, Somló region produces quality examples. Keepup thegreat work
I love love love Somló!
Hi Matthew, great to see the Etna Bianco here as well, maybe too young to for now but definitely the evolution will give so much pleasure to a drinker in the next 5-6 years
Yes, they usually really show nice with time.
Great video as per usual, Matthew. As someone living in Austria and loves Grüner Veltliner, I would love if you made a video on the different GV from different parts of Austria. I saw that you have some videos where you taste individual bottles, but they are all a bit older, so would love to see a new take on this lovely grape!
I agree! I also love Gruner Veltliner.
I love GV and have been trying to get the Wine Austria board to send me samples for a long time
Love Matthew and Rieslings! Cheers man and keep going we love your channel!
🙏🙏🙏😎
Riesling is so hard to beat! I visited the Mosel region this year and was completely blown away by the quality of very unknown and small producers. We bought so many bottles with 15+ years of age for under €10 a bottle, many of them being absolutely stellar!!
The QPR of Riesling when you're in Germany is absolutely insane
@@drmatthewhorkey Yes, my experience as well.... not only in Mosel, also in Nahe, Pfalz, Rheinhessen and Württemberg.
Oh wow, 15+ year old riesling for such prices? Would you please share some producers where you could buy such old wines?
A great range and selection of white wines. I do like Riesling, but my issue over all with Riesling is many of the ones I tend to find and have access to in my area, have a bit more residual sugar in them than I would prefer. I get not everyone likes high levels of acidity and I think adding some sweetness balances it out for many. But I don't mind acidity in wines at all. Albarino is certainly one of my favorite white wines. I like the salinity you tend to find in the Rias Baixas. But I also have to say I was excited to see Von Winning! I don't have access to many of their wines in my area, but there are a few. And the Paradiesgarten is one of them! It's got some amazing flavor to it. And maybe I'll contradict myself a bit here, I think it's got maybe a touch more residual sugar than I usually prefer. But at the same time, it's got so much else going for it. I've noticed when it comes to some whites, ones I tend to appreciate are ones that are aged on their lees. Now I've never really heard of Rieslings ever being treated like this. But wanted to ask you, since you have a lot more knowledge on the subject. I probably won't be able to find in my area, but still was curious if you knew of any examples of Rieslings aged on their lees.
Austrians do that bigger style. A lot of Grosses Gewaches would be to your liking too
Ahh Reisling, by far my favorite and most common drink. If I'm going for another high acid white I usually go for some higher end producers in Vinho Verde or Chablis. Great video as always!
Good choices!
Really enjoy your videos. Thank you.
🙏🙏
When I saw the bottles I immediately knew that one of them was a dry Tokaji, likely a Furmint dominant blend. Albarino did come to mind, as did Muscadet, Picpoul, Juhfark from Somlo or a white wine from Tenerife. Due to prices and availability, Assyrtiko and Etna Bianco are difficult to get ahold of in this part of the world.
Riesling is a tough varietal to best, but I would say near peers would be quality Gruner Veltliner, Furmint, Albarino and Welschriesling/Olaszrizling. With Etna Bianco and Assyrtiko you are paying a higher premium and it can be subjective as to whether or not their quality is higher than a similarly priced Riesling.
Riesling is tough to beat indeed!! Thanks for your takes as always
I like aged Grüner Veltliner the most. We tried several wines with an age of 10-15 years. Extraordinary
Yummmmy
Gotta try all these wines. I love acidity :)
I knew Assyrtico was gonna be in the list, and I knew no.4 was a Santorini when I listened to your tasting notes :)
(I guess that shows the high level of your content)
Just like Riesling, Assyrtico It can make beautiful wines, sweet or dry. It drinks well young but it drinks even better when aged, giving riesling-esque notes of petrol and complexity. The mineral quality is unparalleled. It can handle oak as well, when made in the Nykteri style. Not an aromatic variety like Riesling but the razor sharp acidity is there, although coming from a hot climate. Very versatile variety in general. When asked which is my favourite white variety I am between Riesling and Assyrtico :) Let me know when you decide to go to Greece :)
I hope to get there sooner rather than later!
I absolutely love Etna Bianco but wouldn't consider that as an alternative to Riesling. The other ones I completely agree with. You could maybe find a high acidic Vermentino di Sardegna to compete with Riesling, but to be honest, objectively Riesling is the best grape in the world to make any wine with.
Riesling to me is the greatest wine grape in the world
That Von Winning is killer! They make some really cool stuff.
They do indeed!
Love my acidic white wines - Riesling, dry Gewurztraminer, Traminette being the top 4
Nicee
I love all these grapes and Riesling is my favourite but it depends what aspect of Riesling you want to replace. If someone wants an easy drinking high acid wine chenin, sauvignon blanc, Silvaner or Grüner all do the job. When it comes to food pairings none can compete totally but chenin from SA is my favourite replacement to the lime of Pfalz Riesling when it comes to Dim Sum for example
Chenin is wonderful!
Cool concept for a video, and funny that the Riesling won. I've had a few von Winning and they are always fantastic. Two of my favorite high acid whites that can be Riesling alternatives: Muscadet and Chablis.
Good call on Muscadet
Appreciate the effort to stay objective.
Since you’re on to Greeks, another grape in this style is Robola. A bit lighter on its feet than king Assyrtiko,but super dry and mineral, like liquid limestone. I think of it as Chablis minus the fruit.
I am a big fan of that grape but admittedly don’t know it that well
For me Savennieres can be an alternative to Riesling as well as Hunter valley Semillon. It was cool to see all of these different countries compete but part of me is happy that an affordable example from the Pfalz took the cake hahaha
Agreed! I featured Savennieres and Chenin Blanc of all styles in the Loire in a previous video. Hunter Valley Semillon, now you’re talking!
Great tasting!
🙏🙏😎
Erzsébet's Zafír tends to score the highest of their portfolio in my book, almost regardless of the vintage, perhaps because of the Hárslevelű component:). I'm a Tokaj local, so Furmint comes first for me with Riesling being a close second as one of my favourite grapes. Talking of 2019, one unforgettable experience was a Robert Weil Kiedricher Riesling 2019. If I couldnt drink Furmint any more for some reason, I would just switch over to Riesling for life...:)
The Zafir qpr is soooo good too. Hope to see you again in Tokaj soon!
Did I somehow get into your head and plan this video for you? I love, love, love Riesling but also Etna Bianco and Albariño. I have only had one Assyrtiko and a few dry Furmint but they were also up my alley. The QPR of Assyrtiko might not be as good as with the other wines, though. Two more grapes that could have been added to this video are Weißburgunder and Grüner Veltliner. They can sometimes scratch the Riesling itch but provide something slightly different. Maybe Chablis as well, but that might be stretching it. I'm sipping an interesting Etna Bianco while watching, it's a Blanc de noir made from Nerello Mascalese: "l'innesto" from Valenti, around 15€ here in Germany.
That is a good price for an Etna wine!
There is no life without Riesling ❤️
Amen!
Oak aged Arinto is definitely a worthy replacement, but you might need to go to Portugal to find it since that stuff doesn’t seem to make it stateside haha
I LOVEE Arinto but don’t think it’s similar to Riesling
Drink Timorasso wines from Piedmont, they get flinty with age and have a good structure too!
I need to get into Timorasso more
I'm a big Riesling-fan. In Germany even the entry wines offer quality at moderate prices. I buy mainly wines from Nahe, Pfalz and Rheinhessen. Is there any alternative? Maybe some Grüner Veltliner from Austria, some Albariño and perhaps Picpoul de Pinet. I rediscovered (good) Soave but that is imo not close to a Riesling-wine.
Nahe is MY jam for dry Riesling!
@@drmatthewhorkey Nahe has a perfect climate for Riesling. So has Rheingau.. I lost a bit of focus on that area though
I do want to try out some good Rieslings! Do you have a favorite that I can find (maybe at somewhere like total wine, or one of my local stores)
Go to Total Wine and ask the staff for a dry German or Austrian Riesling
@@drmatthewhorkey any particular brands I should look for from Germany?
Hello Matt! Ever tried some Grechetto wines? Definitely not an alternative to Riesling but what do you think about it?
Yes, I go to Montefalco Anteprima often and taste a lot of them. Interesting with a bitter note and high alcohol
@@drmatthewhorkey Nice! I don’t know if Montefalco is giving out the best Grechetto wines though. MaybeI would suggest to try something from the Orvieto area, there’s nice examples there.
@@gianmarcobusso5840had many there too!
Surprising that there were no Portuguese wines, in terms of quality/ price the would do really well
I mentioned Albariño is called Alvarinho in Portugal
Riesling and Alvarinho are the best for me.
😎🤪
Nothing wrong with leaning from your mistakes and being honest about it ! Why don’t you buy a small randomizer like exists in other channels ? And for the record , I am a Riesling geek ! Just crazy hunting for old trocken to buy ! Lol!
Riesling geeks unite
Can't go past a good Gruner Veltliner if you want similar characters to Riesling. Otherwise Chenin Blanc for high acid and outrageous ageability, Vouvray is so often overlooked!
I do love me some Vouvray and have a whole video about Chenin posted a few weeks ago
Yes, there are good Riesling wines, but I think Riesling is overrated. One may get used to certain types of wines and a sommelier or winegrower isn't really objective. An alternative to Riesling wines? Chenin Blanc and Solaris. Most people don't drink expensive wines, simply because they cannot afford it. I have a hostel and a third of my guests drink dry white wines, one in ten a red wine, either semi dry or dry. Mostly one glass. Just the wines available in Aldi or Lidl or other supermarkets. Under 10 Euro. I think that the reason less people drink wine is simple: As people can afford only wines under 10 Euro, they don't like what they drink and start drinking beer, tea and coffee. I serve a meal for 18 Euro, including wine, meatdishes and dessert. Why spend more than 20 Euro on two glasses or three, if I can give a whole meal for 18? If the cheap wines are neglected, people stop drinking wine and the expensive wines never get sold. I know, it is like cursing in church. Many vineyards are uprooted now because the market is full with bland cheap wines. 80% of the people buy cheap wines. You ignore them and the expensive wines never sell. Sons and daughters of wine growers don't take over and grass and flowers will take the place of vineyards. Just because the winemakers sell their bad wines cheap and loose wine drinkers. I have 85 different varietals and other fruits in my garden, I am a coach, gardener and I have a cheap bed and breakfast.
Interesting takes…
* raises hand * is still undoing the misconception of the people around me that all Riesling is sweet... (insert pushing rock up hill here)
Life is too short to drink only sweet Riesling
Ironically though, I LOVE sweet Riesling and can drink Kabinett all day, everyday.
Morava is great alternative, but Rieslimg is one of the parents
I’ve had several and will try more this Nov!
Albariño ages so well if the elevage has only been in stainless steel
Barrel aged ones can age well too
biggest fault Riesling has, it is and people forget it, semi aromatic grape. it is amazing when you smell and taste it but it is so in your face, you quickly get tired of it 😅
I never get tired of it 😎
Any one that does not like Riesling, does not know anything about wine!
hahaahh there are plenty of people I know that find it too acidic...
@@drmatthewhorkey Oh for sure. I am also not a big fan of overly acidic wines. But, there is a Riesling out there for everybody. That is what makes Riesling so special, I have had everything from sweet Rieslings all the way to bone dry Rieslings
Aged Riesling is another thing but young Rieslings particularly from Watervale in the Clare Valley are almost unapproachable when young.