June 11th Theise Tasting Intro

Willkommen My Fellow "Theislings"
As Bob Dylan once wrote: "die Zeiten ändern" (that's German for "the times, they are-a-changin!"
Ain't that the truth!

For the past 10+ years, our quest to spread the word about the wonders of Riesling and Grüner Veltliner, has not fallen completely on deaf ears but put it this way: it has truly been a "labor of love".

Certainly, there have always been fans of German and Austrian wines, standing staunchly by, while the "wine fashionistas" of the world celebrated the latest fad, be it Viognier, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Rhone-blends, or whatever. But what of the noble Riesling? Didn't they realize that it is arguably the greatest white varietal of all??? Why was Riesling flying under the radar all these years? Why weren't people flocking to their stores to buy these undervalued gems?

Well, the 2001 vintage changed all that.

We weren't sure we'd live to see this day but, yes, folks, it has arrived. Riesling, that ugly duckling, "I don't get no respect", Rodney Dangerfield of wines, is suddenly VERY fashionable! Seemingly overnight, It's become hip, groovy, cool, phat, da bomb etc.

Most importantly, THEY'RE SELLING LIKE HOTCAKES!

From the time the Wine Advocate printed the following statement: "A hundred years from now, 2001 will be remembered as one of Germany's vintages of the century"...we hoped this newfound love for Teutonic wines would not just be a fad - that it would last...long after the last of the 2001s dried up...

Well, folks, you are about to find out that it is not a fad. Riesling and Gruner Veltliner are here to stay.

We couldn't have hoped for a better follow up vintage than 2002 from both Germany and Austria! In certain areas (Pfalz, Rheingau for example) the 02s are every bit as good as the vaunted 01s and in many cases, better!

Please enjoy today's unique opportunity to sample an incredible array of the world's finest white wines from 2002, wines that have finally taken their rightful place alongside the best white wines from Burgundy or anywhere else in the world!

We are also very fortunate to have with us today more than a dozen producers who have flown in to share their wines with you.

Enjoy and buy - you won't be sorry!

Best,
Harmon Skurnik