Weingut Riehen Le Petit Sauvignon AOC Basel-Stadt 2018 white

Weingut Riehen Le Petit Sauvignon AOC Basel-Stadt 2018 is a distinctive Swiss take on Sauvignon Blanc, crafted in the tiny and unique appellation of Basel-Stadt. Led by the renowned Baden winemaker Hanspeter Ziereisen, this wine unites German precision with Swiss terroir in a crisp, characterful white. As one of the very few wines allowed to carry the Basel-Stadt AOC designation, it offers a rare glimpse into a miniature but highly expressive wine region.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Le Petit Sauvignon 2018 shows a pale straw to light lemon hue with greenish reflections, signaling freshness and youth. The nose is vibrant and focused, offering aromas of gooseberry, lime zest, green apple, and white currant, layered with subtle notes of elderflower, freshly cut grass, and a hint of flint and wet stone. On the palate, this is a lively, dry Sauvignon Blanc with a precise, linear structure. Zesty citrus and crisp orchard fruit are supported by a fine, herbal backbone—think lemongrass, nettle, and a touch of savory fennel—giving the wine both tension and complexity. The cool-climate origins show in its bright acidity and clean, mineral-driven finish. While already drinking beautifully now for its freshness and aromatic clarity, it has the structure to evolve over the next 3–5 years, gaining a bit more texture and subtle tertiary nuances.

Production
The fruit for Le Petit Sauvignon comes from the steep slopes of the ‘Schlipf’ site on the lower part of the Tüllinger Berg, directly adjacent to the green Swiss-German border. Here, cooler air currents and sun-exposed terraces on limestone-rich soils create an ideal microclimate for taut, aromatic whites. The parcels are farmed with great care and low yields, often with a hands-on, sustainable approach and selective hand-harvesting to ensure only perfectly ripe, healthy grapes make it to the cellar. In the winery, Ziereisen favors a minimally interventionist style: gentle pressing, cool fermentation to preserve aromatics, and maturation on fine lees to build texture and depth, resulting in a Sauvignon Blanc that is both precise and quietly complex, rather than overtly tropical or overworked.

Food & Serving
This Swiss Sauvignon Blanc is an excellent partner for delicate yet flavorful dishes such as goat cheese tart, asparagus with hollandaise, ceviche, sushi, or lightly grilled fish with fresh herbs and citrus. It also works well with vegetable-based cuisine—think pea risotto, zucchini carpaccio, or salads with goat cheese and vinaigrette. For best enjoyment, serve at 8–10°C (46–50°F) to highlight its freshness and aromatic lift. A brief, 15–20 minute aeration in the glass is sufficient; extended decanting is generally not necessary, as the wine’s charm lies in its crisp, immediate expression.

Producer
Weingut Riehen is a remarkable cross-border project located in the commune of Riehen near Basel, in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. In 2018, acclaimed Baden winemaker Hanspeter Ziereisen, known for his characterful wines from Efringen-Kirchen, took over the estate together with Jacqueline and Urs Ullrich, bringing his experience with the nearby Markgräflerland terroirs into Swiss vineyards. The tiny Basel-Stadt AOC covers only about four hectares—essentially the surface farmed by this partnership—making Weingut Riehen the sole producer entitled to label its wines with the Basel-Stadt AOC designation. This uniqueness, combined with Ziereisen’s reputation for quality and terroir-driven expression, has quickly positioned Weingut Riehen as a small but significant name in the emerging narrative of Swiss fine wine.

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