News & Events
Riesling Rocked and Pinots Punched with Wines of Germany at the 29th Annual Aspen FOOD & WINE Classic
Wines of Germany
Wines of Germany presented top German Riesling and Pinot varietals at the 29th annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, Colorado from June 17-19. Food & Wine magazine has hosted this highly exclusive and popular industry retreat, shaping it into the premier food and wine festival in the U.S. The event catered to a targeted group of 5,000 wine enthusiasts and VIP members of the trade and media, including industry stars such as chefs Mario Batali, Thomas Keller Danny Meyer , Jacques Pépin, and Michael Symon.
At the Classic's Grand Tasting, Wines of Germany showcased 17 wines, ranging from top Rieslings to evocative Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc varietals. Aldo Sohm, wine director of renowned New York restaurant, Le Bernardin, and "Best Sommelier in the World 2008" by the World Sommelier Association, along with Paul Grieco, partner, general manager and wine director of renowned New York restaurants Hearth and Terroir Wine Bars, appeared at the Wines of Germany booths. Along with the Wines of Germany team, the two hosted a private reception offsite highlighting an array of fine German Rieslings. Leading chefs, sommeliers, media and members of the wine trade attended the annual popular event, including chefs José Andrés, Daniel Boulud, Thomas Keller, Danny Meyer, and Marcus Samuelsson, Food & Wine editors Kate Krader and Gail Simmons, and sommeliers and wine experts Belinda Chang, Andrea Immer, Marnie Old, Bernie Sun, and Joshua Wesson, among others.
Paul Grieco also hosted several "Riesling: The Dry Side" seminars throughout the weekend for Classic guests.
German Riesling in particular continues to grow in popularity, especially among the members of the wines and spirits industry. In July 2010, Wine Opinions, a research provider for the wine industry, cast a survey among 245 members of the U.S. wine trade to assess trade perceptions of Riesling overall and their view of its potential in the U.S. marketplace. The study revealed that German Rieslings are the most respected by the trade and that Germany is still seen as the archetype of Riesling. Germany was also recognized for having a wide range of styles, prices and levels of quality and sweetness.