Riesling vom Kalksteinfels, a village wine from Laumersheim
The 2022 Philipp Kuhn Riesling vom Kalksteinfels is a dry VDP.Ortswein (village wine) from Laumersheim in the Palatinate. Full-bodied, mineral-driven, with fresh acidity. Not an easy-drinking "schoppen," but a Riesling that tells the story of the limestone in the glass.
Philipp Kuhn Riesling vom Kalksteinfels 2022 is a dry village Riesling from the Palatinate, grown on the limestone sites around Laumersheim. The grapes come from plots in the Steinbuckel and Kirschgarten vineyards. Let this wine take you to the escarpment overlooking the Rhine Valley, where the prehistoric limestone rock emerges.
Yellow apple, citrus, a hint of smoke
In the glass, the Riesling glows bright and clear. The nose reveals yellow apple, delicate citrus fruit, and fine herbal notes, accompanied by a slightly smoky touch from the limestone.
On the palate, it is full-bodied, medium-weight, and mineral-driven, with a fresh, well-integrated acidity. The fruit ranges from yellow apple to exotic hints, carried by a clear, linear backbone. A Riesling with depth that can further develop over the years.
This is exactly what defines a village wine: it offers more body and length than a simple estate wine while remaining clearly focused on its limestone origin. A Riesling that listens if you give it time.
Zander, veal cheeks, and asparagus risotto
The Riesling vom Kalksteinfels enjoys fine but characterful cuisine. It pairs beautifully with fish and seafood, poultry and veal, as well as salads and refined vegetable dishes.
Pan-fried zander, veal cheeks, and a risotto with asparagus are the perfect match when served at 10 to 12 degrees Celsius. Its minerality effortlessly maintains tension against bold flavors. For those who want to taste more from the estate, try the fresh Riesling Tradition or the creamy Grauer Burgunder vom Löss.
What the limestone tells us in the glass
The limestone rock gives the Riesling its tension. The vines grow on the northern Palatinate limestone sites of Laumersheim; old Riesling vines on deep, rocky soil produce particularly multi-layered aromas.
Philipp Kuhn harvests the highly ripe grapes by hand. After about 12 hours of skin contact, they are gently pressed and ferment slowly over several weeks using natural yeasts. The wine remains on the lees until shortly before bottling, maturing in stainless steel tanks protected from air. The longer the lees contact, the rounder the body.
"It has to be dry," is Philipp’s philosophy for all his wines. The winery's roots date back to the 17th century; Philipp bottled his first vintage in 1992. Today, he manages around 40 hectares and has been a member of the VDP since 2008. You can find more from the Palatinate in the other wines from Philipp Kuhn.
Served too cold, it closes up
The Riesling vom Kalksteinfels shows its depth best at 10 to 12 degrees; served too cold, it closes up. It is produced using vegan methods and benefits from a bit of air in the glass; a large Riesling glass helps in this regard. It tastes good fresh, stays fresh in the fridge for one to two days, and often shows even more on the second day. A wine for quiet hours and good food.
Riesling vom Kalksteinfels – a wine and its values
- Origin: Wine from Germany
- Region: Pfalz
- Winery: Philipp Kuhn
- VDP. Ortswein
- Grape variety: Riesling
- 12.5% vol. alcohol