In the glass
Aroma: lemon zest, white peach, wet stone, white flower
Palate: green apple, lime, salt, spice
Andre Ostertag's Heissenberg Riesling from sandstone slopes near Nothalten, alongside Muenchberg. Pure, dry, biodynamic; the maison's everyday Bas-Rhin Riesling.
What it pairs with
-
Oysters
Saline citrus against the bivalve. -
Choucroute garnie
Find choucroute garnie on TableJourney →
Riesling acid for pork-and-kraut. -
Sole meuniere
Brown-butter fish for the wine's stone and lemon.
How to serve Ostertag Heissenberg Riesling
Allow 5 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and pour. Open and pour directly. No decanting required for this style.
- Serve at 8-10°C. Cellar temperature (8-10°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a smaller all-purpose white glass — the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Oysters, Choucroute garnie, Sole meuniere. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Heissenberg is a sandstone slope adjacent to Muenchberg, farmed by the Ostertag family since the 1960s. Andre Ostertag's biodynamic Heissenberg Riesling has been bottled as a lieu-dit cuvee since 1985.
- 1985 — First Heissenberg Riesling lieu-dit bottling
Facts
- Producer
- Domaine Ostertag
- Grapes
- Riesling (100%)
- Classification
- Alsace AOC
- Oak
- Large old foudre; no new oak
- ABV
- 12.5%
- Price
- EUR 30 to 45 at retail
- Drinking window
- 3-12 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1985
Frequently asked about Ostertag Heissenberg Riesling
What does Ostertag Heissenberg Riesling taste like?
On the nose, lemon zest, white peach, wet stone, white flower. On the palate, green apple, lime, salt, spice. Structurally medium-bodied, racy acidity with a long finish. Andre Ostertag's Heissenberg Riesling from sandstone slopes near Nothalten, alongside Muenchberg. Pure, dry, biodynamic; the maison's everyday Bas-Rhin Riesling.
When should I drink Ostertag Heissenberg Riesling?
Drink 3-12 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Ostertag Heissenberg Riesling?
Oysters is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Choucroute garnie and Sole meuniere. Saline citrus against the bivalve.
What grapes are in Ostertag Heissenberg Riesling?
The blend is Riesling (100%). The wine is classified as Alsace AOC.