German Spatlese Riesling Wines

Spätlese is a unique Prädikat in German winemaking that strikes a delicate balance between two extremes. With more weight and ripeness than Kabinett, but not as concentrated as Auslese, Spätlese offers immense elegance and subtle sweetness. These wines are crafted from fully ripe, healthy Riesling grapes, sometimes with a touch of over-ripeness. Renowned winemakers avoid the use of botrytised (noble rot) grapes to maintain clarity and luminosity, producing wines of exceptional purity.

Spätlesen present a beautiful range of flavors, from white, yellow, and orange fruits to aromatic citrus notes. While these wines are inviting when young, they truly reveal their character after around five years of bottle age, developing a complexity that lasts for decades. Ranging from dry to off-dry, Spätlesen typically have sweetness levels between 20-90g/l and alcohol content of 7-10%, achieving a harmonious balance of sweetness and acidity.

The evolution of German Spätlese wines has seen a return to the elegance of balance, particularly as producers like JJ Prüm maintain restraint in their craftsmanship. As Katharina Prüm puts it, "We make Prädikatsweine, and sweetness should never be in the foreground. Off-dry is an important word in Spätlese. It is not a sweet wine but a gastronomic wine."

Discover our collection of Germany Spätlese Riesling wines, showcasing the elegance, balance, and aging potential that these wines are renowned for.