What it pairs with
-
Poached sole with lemon butter
Chalk-mineral Riesling and gently cooked flatfish are a classic pairing. -
Crayfish salad with dill
The wine's mineral freshness complements the delicate sweetness of crayfish. -
Asparagus with herb vinaigrette
Classic Wachau pairing; herbal mineral Riesling and asparagus.
How to serve Riesling Smaragd
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. Poached sole with lemon butter, Crayfish salad with dill, Asparagus with herb vinaigrette. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Weingut Jager is a Weissenkirchen family estate working the Steinriegl and Achleiten terraces on gneiss-dominated soils. Their Riesling Smaragd is the flagship bottling.
- 1940 — Jager family establishes the estate in Weissenkirchen
- 2003 — Riesling Smaragd first bottled under the current label
Facts
- Producer
- Weingut Jäger
- Grapes
- Riesling
- Classification
- Wachau DAC
- Oak
- Stainless steel; no oak
- ABV
- 13.0%
- Price
- EUR 20-32 at retail
- Drinking window
- 3-12 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2003
Frequently asked about Riesling Smaragd
When should I drink Riesling Smaragd?
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 Riesling Smaragd?
Poached sole with lemon butter is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Crayfish salad with dill and Asparagus with herb vinaigrette. Chalk-mineral Riesling and gently cooked flatfish are a classic pairing.
What grapes are in Riesling Smaragd?
The blend is Riesling. The wine is classified as Wachau DAC.