In the glass
Aroma: lemon peel, white peach, wet limestone, white flower
Palate: green apple, lime, salt, stone
Valentin Zusslin's Clos Liebenberg monopole Riesling, on south-facing limestone above Orschwihr. Biodynamic and structured, with the salinity of a hillside-walled vineyard.
What it pairs with
-
Sole meuniere
Brown-butter fish for the wine's stone and lemon. -
Plateau de fruits de mer
Limestone Riesling against shellfish platter. -
Aged Comte
Crystalline cheese against the wine's saline mineral.
How to serve Valentin Zusslin Clos Liebenberg 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. Sole meuniere, Plateau de fruits de mer, Aged Comte. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Clos Liebenberg is Zusslin's south-facing monopole walled vineyard above Orschwihr. Bottled as a single-vineyard cuvee since the mid 1990s, Demeter biodynamic since 1997.
- 1997 — Estate certified Demeter biodynamic
- 1995 — First Clos Liebenberg Riesling bottling
Facts
- Producer
- Domaine Valentin Zusslin
- Grapes
- Riesling (100%)
- Classification
- Alsace AOC
- Oak
- Large old foudre; long lees ageing
- ABV
- 12.5%
- Price
- EUR 32 to 50 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5-20 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1995
Frequently asked about Valentin Zusslin Clos Liebenberg Riesling
What does Valentin Zusslin Clos Liebenberg Riesling taste like?
On the nose, lemon peel, white peach, wet limestone, white flower. On the palate, green apple, lime, salt, stone. Structurally medium-bodied, racy acidity with a long finish. Valentin Zusslin's Clos Liebenberg monopole Riesling, on south-facing limestone above Orschwihr. Biodynamic and structured, with the salinity of a hillside-walled vineyard.
When should I drink Valentin Zusslin Clos Liebenberg Riesling?
Drink 5-20 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Valentin Zusslin Clos Liebenberg Riesling?
Sole meuniere is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Plateau de fruits de mer and Aged Comte. Brown-butter fish for the wine's stone and lemon.
What grapes are in Valentin Zusslin Clos Liebenberg Riesling?
The blend is Riesling (100%). The wine is classified as Alsace AOC.