"This elegant, Mosel-like wine offers good value. Grown in the upper Awatere Valley, it is fresh, light (8% alc/vol) and lively, with strong, citrusy, slightly appley flavours, a distinct splash of sweetness, firm acid spine, and obvious cellaring potential. Tangy, youthful and tightly structured, it should be at its best 2021+" Michael Cooper

The 2017 Block 8 Riesling has pure aromas of lemon citrus, lime zest and freshly cut apple leading to the perfect balance between natural fruit sweetness and the crisp chalky acidity.

Block 8 wine is made specifically in a lower alcohol style to showcase the spectacular flavours of our Riesling grapes and the pure essence of the Awatere Valley. As well as being low in alcohol, it has been crafted to create a beautifully harmonious wine which is fresh and vibrant. This wine shows great poise and structure with flavours that burst from the glass.

The rugged climate of the Awatere Valley is ideal for producing grapes of intensity and concentration. The ancient soils and harsh winds combine to create an environment where the vines struggle and crops are naturally low, therefore all the energy of the plant is dedicated to the fruit. The grapes were picked and processed as quickly as possible to retain the delicate flavours. The beautifully clear juice was slowly fermented under very cool conditions until the balance between the residual sugar and acidity was perfect. 

Food Pairing: The lower alcohol of 8% makes this wine perfect for lunchtime meals or simply enjoyed by itself. We suggest paring the vibrant exotic elements of this fresh Riesling with foods that have "green" flavors, like the lime, jalapeño and tomatillo. We suggest trying freshly caught snapper simply grilled served with charred tomatillos and pepper salsa.