The Sparkle of Rheingau: Discovering Barth Riesling Brut

Mark Barth, based in Hattenheim in the Rheingau, is known at home as “The Riesling Master”. He makes something Germany has not seen before: a sparkling wine carrying VDP Erste Lage and Grosse Lage classifications, until now reserved for still wines. Amar from Bubbels van Amar imports it; during a podcast recording he slid the entry-level bottle across the table.

What’s in the bottle

• 100% Riesling from the Rheingau
• Traditional method (second fermentation in bottle)
• 24 months on lees, well past the 15-month NV Champagne minimum
• Hand-riddled and disgorged
• Fully organic and vegan, certified on the label

In the rain-prone Rheingau, organic farming is not a given; that it happens consistently here adds weight of its own.

Tasting note

Attractive colour, a nose that opens like a bunch of wildflowers. Classic Riesling: apple, lime, peach and a touch of honey. No heavy toast or oak overlap.

The palate is unmistakably Riesling, with finely integrated mousse. The remarkable bit: the acidity stays sharp and lifted despite the second fermentation, which usually flattens it. That keeps the bottle table-friendly rather than only an apéritif.

At the table

• Pike-perch or sea bass from the oven with light herb butter
• Oysters (classic; works here thanks to the citrus-mineral note)
• Spaghetti al limone — citrus on citrus, surprisingly good
• White asparagus with hollandaise

Price and position

€19.95 for Barth’s entry tier. With 24 months ageing, organic credentials and regional classification, it is a no-brainer at that price.

Available at bubbelsvanamar.nl — Amar sells online and runs tastings.