Peter Lauer | "Barrel X" Riesling 2020

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Pair with: Thai, Indian, and other spicy/fragrant foods

🌱 Farming: Organic

🥶 Serve: Cold

🍇 Grape Variety: Riesling

🌎 Region: Mosel, Germany

🤓 Geek Out: Florian Lauer’s family has been winegrowers since 1830! Lauer’s cuvees are the type of focused, kinetic, pure wines that turn the non-believers into Riesling lovers! IYKYK. Florian gradually started taking the reins from his father, Peter Lauer II, in 2006. Although the 5th generation to manage the family operation, Florian is a pioneer in the Saar region of Germany. The trailblazer has been crafting dry Rieslings in an area of the Mosel region known for residual sugar wines. Florian’s authentic craftmanship focuses on spontaneous fermentations with native yeasts, extensive lees contact, and varietal purity.

The Lauer family has not changed how they approach their magnificent vineyards on the steep-slope vineyards of the Saar region. We’re talking STEEP. Too steep for tractors and heavy machinery, so naturally everything is hand harvested. Even if it was not too steep for mechanization, Florian would not deploy heavy machinery because, “...they unnecessarily compact the soil and impoverish the living space there.” Not only are they practicing organic viticulture, but Florian is very particular about different aspects. For example, he eschews copper sprays because it, “...has been shown to kill earthworms and microorganisms in our soil.” Many of the sites are situated for maximum sun exposure along the Saar River to ensure that the grapes will ripen in Germany’s cool climate.