Wine of the Week: Château Belá, Riesling 2018 | Sturovo, Slovakia

By Dirk Smits

Riesling – July 27, 2020

Château Belá is an ancient property situated in the Sturovo appellation in Slovakia on the banks of the Danube River. The first vines were planted by the Romans and today Riesling grapes are grown on the hills below the castle and vinified by Miroslav Petrech and his brother-in-law Egon Müller, owner also of a world-renowned winery in the Mosel area in Germany.

His winery, Weingut Egon Müller, is the only German member of the group Primum Familiae Vini or First Families of Wine, a 12-strong group of the world’s most prestigious winemaking families which includes the likes of Vega Sicilia (Ribera del Duero), Château Mouton-Rothschild (Bordeaux) and Tenuta San Guido (Tuscany). His Riesling “Scharzhofberger Trockenbeerenauslese” is the most expensive white wine in the world going for an average price of $14,000.

Château Belá Riesling 2018

Origin: Sturovo, Slovakia
Varietals: 100% Riesling
Sustainability: sustainable practices, wine is suited for vegetarians
Suggested retail price: $17.99
ABV: 13%

This dry Riesling from Château Belá can be compared to the best Rieslings from Austria and Alsace. It has a straw yellow color and aromas of peach, flint and flower blossom. It is medium bodied with flavors of citrus, stone fruit and a mineral crispness on the finish. 

Suggested food pairings: sushi, sashimi, shellfish, Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, vegetarian, poultry and works as an apéritif as well.

> For more information, visit Château Belá official website.

> Read about Riesling Grape Varietal Definition.