Weingut Pies 2024 Schieferterrasse Riesling - feinherb
Off-dry White Wine. The 'feinherb' designation indicates a style that is legally off-dry, sitting between 'Trocken' (dry) and 'Lieblich' (sweet), offering a balanced tension between sweetness and acidity. · Weingut Pies, a family-owned estate currently managed by Peter and Petra Pies. They are known for traditional, terroir-focused winemaking, particularly in the Steep Slopes (Steillagen) of the Mosel region, maintaining a reputation as a high-quality boutique producer focused on artisanal methods.
Vintage: 2024. As an extremely young wine, the 2024 vintage in the Mosel experienced a relatively wet spring requiring intensive vineyard management, followed by a warm summer. This vintage is characterized by vibrant acidity and fresh, primary fruit expressions, though it is currently in its earliest stage of release.
Type
Off-dry White Wine. The 'feinherb' designation indicates a style that is legally off-dry, sitting between 'Trocken' (dry) and 'Lieblich' (sweet), offering a balanced tension between sweetness and acidity.
Producer
Weingut Pies, a family-owned estate currently managed by Peter and Petra Pies. They are known for traditional, terroir-focused winemaking, particularly in the Steep Slopes (Steillagen) of the Mosel region, maintaining a reputation as a high-quality boutique producer focused on artisanal methods.
Country
Germany. A powerhouse of Old World white wine production, Germany is the spiritual home of Riesling. Its cool-climate viticulture and strict wine laws (Prädikat system) ensure wines with high acidity and distinct minerality that are unique in the global market.
Vintage
2024. As an extremely young wine, the 2024 vintage in the Mosel experienced a relatively wet spring requiring intensive vineyard management, followed by a warm summer. This vintage is characterized by vibrant acidity and fresh, primary fruit expressions, though it is currently in its earliest stage of release.
Region & Appellation
Mosel, Germany. The Mosel is worldwide renowned for its steep slate slopes and is the most significant region for Riesling. This specific wine, 'Schieferterrasse', refers to the slate terraces of the region's steep vineyards, though it is likely marketed under the Qualitätswein category.
Grape Varieties
100% Riesling. This variety is perfectly suited to the Mosel's slate soils. It produces high-acid wines with expressive aromatics. In the Mosel, Riesling expresses itself with lower alcohol and intense mineral character.
Color & Appearance
Pale straw with youthful greenish reflections. The wine appears brilliant and clear with low viscosity, typical for a low-alcohol, high-acid white wine from the current vintage.
Aroma Profile
High intensity primary aromas of green apple, white peach, and citrus zest. Distinctive flinty and slate-like mineral notes are present, accompanied by subtle white floral notes (elderflower) and a hint of wet stone.
Tasting Notes
Energetic and lively on the attack with a refreshing burst of lime and green fruit. The mid-palate shows a delicate balance where the residual sugar softens the vibrant acidity. The finish is clean, crisp, and carries a saline mineral trail that lingers pleasantly.
Flavor Profile
Predominantly tart orchard fruits like Granny Smith apple and unripe pear, following through to zesty lemon and a specific slate-driven minerality. The 'feinherb' style provides a subtle honeyed weight on the center of the tongue without being sugary.
Body & Texture
Light-bodied and light-footed. The texture is lean and angular but smoothed out slightly by the residual sugar, giving it a 'slippery' yet precise mouthfeel.
Acidity & Tannins
High, racy acidity that provides the backbone of the wine. No tannins are present as this is a white wine with minimal skin contact. The acidity is 'electric' and mouth-watering, characteristic of the 2024 vintage.
Sweetness Level
Feinherb (Off-dry). Typically contains between 12 to 18 grams per liter of residual sugar, which is perfectly balanced by the high acidity to give a perception of harmony rather than cloying sweetness.
Alcohol Content
Likely between 10.5% and 11.5% ABV. This lower alcohol level is traditional for Mosel Rieslings, making the wine incredibly drinkable and refreshing.
Aging & Oak
Fermented and aged in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve primary fruit and mineral purity. No oak influence is present, focusing entirely on the expression of the fruit and slate terroir.
Food Pairings
Excellent with spicy Asian cuisines (Thai or Vietnamese), where the sugar cuts the heat. Also pairs beautifully with fresh summer salads, goat cheese, or light white fish with a lemon-butter sauce.
Serving Suggestions
Serve well-chilled at 8–10°C (46–50°F). Use a standard white wine glass or a specific Riesling glass. Decanting is not necessary for this young vintage. Drink now through 2028.
Price Range
Approximately $15.00 - $22.00 USD. It represents an excellent value-to-quality ratio, offering authentic Mosel character at an accessible price point.
Quality Assessment
Estimated 88-90 points. This is a high-quality estate wine (Gutswein) that serves as a benchmark for the feinherb style. It is celebrated for its purity and typicality rather than long-term complexity.
Production Methods
Hand-harvested from steep slate slopes. Cool fermentation in stainless steel to retain aromatics. Fermentation is stopped by chilling to maintain the natural residual sugar for the feinherb style.
Terroir
Schieferterrasse translates to 'Slate Terrace'. The soil is weathered blue and grey Devonian slate which absorbs heat during the day and radiates it back at night, allowing Riesling to ripen in this cool northern latitude.
History & Heritage
The Pies family has a long history of viticulture in the Mosel. They focus on preserving the traditional 'Steillage' (steep slope) viticulture which is labor-intensive and requires hand-working the vines without machinery.
Interesting Facts
The label features the family crest. The term 'Feinherb' was coined because 'Halbtrocken' (half-dry) was considered unmarketable by German producers, but 'Feinherb' is now a beloved category for its gastronomic versatility.
Cellaring Potential
Best enjoyed young for its vibrant primary fruit. While it will hold for 3-5 years, it is designed for immediate pleasure and fresh summer consumption, rather than decade-long aging.
Similar Wines
Dr. Loosen 'L' Riesling, Selbach-Oster Feinherb Rieslings, or Fritz Haag Riesling Gutswein. Those who enjoy high-acid Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley may also appreciate this style.