Griesel & Compagnie Grande Cuvée Dosage Zero Exquisit 2019 Magnum white

Griesel & Compagnie Grande Cuvée Dosage Zero Exquisit 2018 Magnum is a serious German sparkling wine crafted in a dry, uncompromising Brut Nature style. Made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder) and Pinot Meunier (Schwarzriesling), it delivers precision, depth and a strikingly pure expression of the Hessische Bergstraße. Bottled in magnum for slower, more complex maturation, this cuvée is designed for collectors and sparkling wine lovers who value finesse over sweetness. With no dosage added, the wine’s structure, fruit and terroir are allowed to speak clearly, resulting in a focused and gastronomic style. Earlier vintages of Grande Cuvée Dosage Zero have been highly acclaimed, including a 2nd place ranking in falstaff’s special Sparkling issue, underlining the estate’s rapid rise among Germany’s top Sekt producers.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2018 Exquisit Magnum shows a fine, persistent mousse and a pale straw to light golden hue, subtly deepened by the presence of the red varieties. The bubbles are very fine and energetic, forming a delicate, creamy crown. The nose suggests freshly cut apple peel, citrus zest and hints of shortcrust pastry, echoing falstaff’s note of “Apfelschale und Mürbeteig.” Subtle aromas of crushed chalk, brioche crumbs and a faint saline breeze add complexity. With air, more layers emerge: white flowers, a touch of almond and discreet red-berry undertones from the Pinots. On the palate, the wine is taut and linear, with “klare, straffe Linien” – clear, firm lines – anchored in concentrated fruit and a palpable density. Green and yellow apple, lemon pith and a whisper of stone fruit are wrapped in an elegant, salty creaminess. The mousse is ultra-fine and caressing, giving a textural contrast to the brisk acidity and the complete absence of residual sugar. The finish is long, dry and mouthwatering, leaving impressions of citrus, chalk and savoury pastry. Thanks to the magnum format and the wine’s structure, this 2018 has excellent aging potential; expect it to gain more brioche, nutty and autolytic complexity over the next 5–10 years while retaining its backbone and drive.

Production
Sourced from carefully selected sites along the Hessische Bergstraße, the grapes benefit from a relatively mild, sunny microclimate protected by the Odenwald hills, with soils that mix loess, sand, limestone and clay – ideal for high-acid, finely structured sparkling base wines. Chardonnay brings tension and elegance, while Spätburgunder and Schwarzriesling add subtle red-fruit depth and mid-palate weight. The grapes are typically harvested by hand at moderate ripeness to preserve acidity and aromatic finesse, then gently pressed in whole clusters. Fermentation of the base wines takes place in stainless steel and, in part, in neutral wooden vessels to build texture without overt oak influence. After blending into the Grande Cuvée, the wine undergoes traditional-method secondary fermentation in bottle and is aged for an extended period on the lees to develop its refined mousse and pastry-like nuances. It is disgorged without dosage (Dosage Zero/Brut Nature), leaving the wine completely dry and transparently expressive of its origin.

Food & Serving
This ultra-dry, structured Sekt is exceptionally food-friendly and shines with refined, savoury dishes. Think oysters, scallops, sashimi and crudo, but also classic pairings like tempura, salt-baked fish, grilled prawns or poached lobster. On land, it is superb with tartares, poultry in light cream sauces, veal schnitzel, or delicately flavoured pork dishes, as well as fine charcuterie and semi-hard Alpine cheeses. Serve well chilled at around 8–10 °C. For maximum expression from the magnum, open 15–20 minutes before serving; a gentle, short decant into a chilled carafe or pouring into larger white wine or tulip-shaped sparkling glasses will help the aromatics unfold without losing the fine mousse.

Producer
Griesel & Compagnie is a modern German Sekt specialist based in Bensheim on the Hessische Bergstraße, one of Germany’s smaller but historically important wine regions. Established in the former monastic cellars of Bensheim, the estate has quickly built a reputation for meticulous, terroir-driven sparkling wines made exclusively by the traditional method. Focusing on classic Champagne grapes and cool-climate German varieties, Griesel combines low yields, precise handwork in the vineyard and careful élevage in the cellar to produce some of Germany’s most compelling Brut Nature and low-dosage Sekts. Accolades such as top rankings in falstaff’s sparkling wine tastings underscore the house’s status as a standard-bearer for the new wave of high-quality German sparkling wine.

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