Saison in San Francisco is considered by many to be one of the best restaurants in the bay area if not California. When I went with my friend Kate in November of 2017, it was a three Michelin starred meal (this year it dropped to a lowly two). I learn a lot about wine, food and my palette handing complete control over to the Chef and Sommelier, this is why whenever I’m at a fancy restaurant I order the food and wine pairing. Putting my fate in the hands of well trained chefs and sommeliers has been a way for me to challenge my preconceptions and push myself to try new foods I never would have before.
This lovely Riesling was paired with grilled prawns. This lovely Riesling was paired by an award wining Sommelier at a three-starred Michelin restaurant. This lovely Riesling is $30. The fact that people believe you have to spend money to get a great wine or great value wine amazes me. Some people might be upset getting something so accessible at such a fancy place, but I was proud and excited. I rather have good wine than showy or I’m just trying to be pretentious wine. Don’t think you can’t get GREAT wine under $40 you can! You can get wonderful wines under $40 and you can especially get great value for quality wine from places that aren’t as fancy and well named (uhum Portugal, Washington, Paso Robles). Drinking Riesling from the Mosul is like drinking Cabernet in Napa. It’s the popular grape. It’s the thing all the cool kids drink from that area. But, even with it being the go to grape you can get something that is absolutely delicious without breaking the bank.
Forstmeister Geltz Zilliken 2014 Rausch Kabinett
🍇 100% Riesling
🥴 7-8%
📆 17 months in 10% French and 20% American Oak Barrels
📍 Mosel
🏵️ 93 pts Wine Enthusiast
👀 Dark Pale Yellow
👃 Apple, Pineapple, Lemon
🍷 Sweet on the front with slight minerality and a dry finish
⏳ Now
💰 $30
📝 If you find wines from this producer get them, but I would drink them 4-6 years old.
