Weingut Wittmann Riesling Aulerde Großes Gewächs Bio 2023 white

Weingut Wittmann Riesling Aulerde Großes Gewächs Bio 2023 is a top-tier dry Riesling from one of Rheinhessen’s most esteemed organic estates. Sourced from the historic Aulerde vineyard in Westhofen, this GG (Großes Gewächs) captures the power and depth of a great site while remaining precise and mineral-driven. Certified organic and crafted with meticulous care, it is a benchmark wine for serious Riesling lovers.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2023 Aulerde GG shows a pale to medium lemon-yellow hue with green reflections, signaling both youth and freshness. The nose is immediately expressive, with ripe stone fruit—white peach and apricot—layered over juicy citrus, especially lime and Meyer lemon. Subtle tropical hints of pineapple and grated lime zest mingle with notes of fresh herbs, white blossoms, and an underlying smoky, flinty minerality. As it opens, nuances of wet stone, fennel seed, and a gentle spiciness emerge. On the palate, this is a concentrated yet finely etched dry Riesling: intense, mouthfilling fruit wrapped in a firm, saline backbone. Expect a core of ripe peach, nectarine, and citrus oil, supported by vibrant acidity and a pronounced stony, almost chalky texture. The finish is long, precise, and savory, with lingering notes of grapefruit pith, crushed rock, and subtle herbal tones. Still very youthful in 2023, it will gain complexity and harmony with time, showing its best from a few years after release and comfortably aging 10–15 years or more in a good cellar.

Production
The Aulerde vineyard is one of Westhofen’s warmest and most historically prized sites, with deep loess and clay marl over limestone that gives the wines both power and mineral tension. Weingut Wittmann farms these parcels organically and biodynamically, with low yields, careful canopy management, and hand-harvesting to ensure only perfectly ripe, healthy Riesling grapes make it into the GG bottling. After a rigorous selection in the vineyard and at the winery, the juice is gently pressed and fermented with native yeasts, typically at controlled temperatures in large traditional oak casks and/or stainless steel to preserve purity and site expression. The wine is then left on its fine lees for an extended period, building texture and complexity without sacrificing the crystalline freshness that defines Wittmann’s style.

Food & Serving
This powerful yet elegant dry Riesling pairs beautifully with refined dishes that can handle both intensity and acidity. Think poached or roasted turbot, halibut, or cod, scallops in beurre blanc, sushi and sashimi, or fine vegetable cuisine featuring asparagus, fennel, or artichoke. It also excels alongside poultry with light sauces, veal, or lightly spiced Asian dishes (especially with ginger, lemongrass, or mild chili). Serve at 9–11°C to highlight its precision and aromatics. In its youth, decanting for 30–60 minutes is recommended to let the wine unfold its layered nose and soften the youthful grip on the palate.

Producer
Weingut Wittmann, based in Westhofen in Rheinhessen, is widely regarded as one of Germany’s leading producers of dry Riesling. The family estate has been cultivating vines for centuries and was an early pioneer of organic and later biodynamic viticulture in the region, helping to redefine Rheinhessen’s reputation from volume to quality. Today, Philipp Wittmann and his team are known for their laser-focused, terroir-driven GGs from top sites such as Morstein, Kirchspiel, and Aulerde, which regularly receive high scores and international acclaim. Their commitment to low yields, meticulous vineyard work, and minimal-intervention winemaking has made Wittmann a reference point for serious, ageworthy dry Riesling on the global stage.