Johannes Leitz Eins-Zwei-Zero Sparkling Rosé - alcohol free

Photo: Oliver Schwarzwald

About the producer: The history of viticulture of the Leitz family from Rüdesheim/Germany goes back to 1744. The current owner Johannes Leitz was born in 1964 in Rüdesheim on the Rhine and took over the business with 3 ha on his own in 1985. Since then he has led it to a nationally and internationally successful winery with the considerable size of almost 40 ha. The steady growth of recent years has not harmed the winery at all. His wines bear an individual signature and reflect the terroir of the Rüdesheimer Berg.

The packaging and design appear light and modern. The golden, highly embossed lettering on the label shows attention to detail. Leitz also uses a real cork. Grapes from the Portugieser, Pinot Noir and Merlot varieties are used for this wine.

Immediately after opening, I notice strong rhubarb notes. In the background, I can also detect a hint of raspberry. The colour is a powerful pink. In the glass, the wine foams up briefly and strongly. The perlage lasts well and is pleasant. In terms of taste, I find it quite well developed. It could perhaps already compete with one or two other "real rosé wines".

The lively and well-balanced acidity gives the wine the necessary freshness. Something that some non-alcoholic representatives tend to miss. The initial rhubarb note gives way to flavours of raspberry and rosehip on the tongue. The finish is, as usual, a little thin. But the lively impression of juicy fruit remains. It brings back memories of gooseberries in high summer, picked straight from the bush. Plump fruit, the outer skin warmed by the summer sun, the inside refreshing and sourly sweet. Away from lightly grilled poultry, summer salads or pasta, I could imagine caramelised fennel and turbot here. Recipe coming! Stick to it.