Before I go there, let’s be clear about something…a tall, skinny bottle does not make a wine sweet. Or I guess I should say, a tall, skinny bottle is not an indication that the wine inside is sweet, no wonder what your brother-in-law, the wine ‘expert’, claims. The bottle, label, closure, color, etc, etc.,are not indications of anything at all. Got it?
Ok, scheurebe is a wine grape that was created by Dr. Georg Scheu in 1916. It’s a cross of riesling and a wild vine called Bukettraube. The name was derived by adding the German word for vine (rebe) to Dr. Scheu’s name. Quite an honor.
Yes, there are sweet wines made of scheurebe, just as there are sweet wines made of chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon (yeah, I’m looking at you, Napa). The one, made by Winzerhof Stahl, ($17.99, 750 ml) from Franken, is vinified dry (meaning there is no sugar present) and is a bit forward. Its rich and full bodied with melon and grapefruit flavors and a bit of grip on the finish. It’s a great wine for pork and sausage and roasted chicken and fowl.