Clean Slate Riesling

Clean Slate Riesling is an off-dry German Riesling from the Mosel region, bottled at 10.5% ABV in a 750ml format. Awarded 90 points by Wine Enthusiast and a Gold Medal at the Berlin Wine Trophy, this wine punches well above its weight class for an everyday Mosel Riesling.

Quick Facts: ABV: 10.5%  |  Origin: Mosel, Germany  |  Off-Dry Riesling  |  Producer: Moselland eG

Production & Heritage

Clean Slate is produced through a partnership between importer Winebow and Moselland, one of Germany's largest winegrowing cooperatives. The grapes are sourced from vineyards planted on the famously steep, slate-covered slopes of the Mosel River Valley, where thin slate stones reflect and retain heat — a critical factor for ripening Riesling in this cool northern climate. After gentle pressing, the juice undergoes temperature-controlled fermentation with selected yeasts and rests in stainless steel tanks for approximately four months before bottling, preserving the grape's natural freshness and bright acidity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with fresh yellow peach and ripe apricot, followed by earthy, spicy undertones. Subtle petrol and stony minerality emerge with time in the glass, signaling the slate soils beneath.

Taste: On the palate, tart apple and juicy peach arrive first, quickly joined by crisp lime and quince at mid-palate. Outstanding acidity threads through the soft fruit, keeping everything vibrant and balanced against the wine's gentle residual sweetness.

Finish: The finish is clean and moderately lingering, with a touch of salinity and stony minerality. Faint echoes of lime zest and peach skin taper off with refreshing precision.

How to Drink Clean Slate

Serve well-chilled, between 45–50°F, in a standard white wine glass to concentrate the aromatic lift. This is a wine that works beautifully on its own as an aperitif or patio pour. For cocktail-curious drinkers: use it in a White Wine Spritzer with a splash of sparkling water and a lime wheel — the natural acidity holds up perfectly; try a Riesling Sangria with sliced stone fruits and fresh mint, which mirrors the wine's own peach character; or build a Hugo Spritz variation, substituting this Riesling for prosecco alongside elderflower liqueur and soda for a lighter, more aromatic take.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners with spicy takeout — Thai, Indian, or Szechuan cuisine
• Introducing someone to German Riesling without intimidation
• Warm-weather porch sipping or picnic outings
• Hosting casual dinner parties where versatile food pairing matters

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Clean Slate taste like? Clean Slate Riesling delivers ripe peach, tart apple, and crisp lime flavors balanced by vibrant acidity and a subtle stony minerality from Mosel slate soils. It finishes clean and off-dry with a hint of salinity.

How does Clean Slate compare to Relax Riesling? Both are accessible, off-dry German Rieslings at similar price points, but Clean Slate sources exclusively from the Mosel and tends to show more pronounced slate-driven minerality and acidity, while Relax draws from broader German regions and often reads slightly sweeter on the palate.

Is Clean Slate good for beginners? Clean Slate is an excellent entry point into German Riesling — its gentle residual sweetness and bright fruit make it immediately approachable, while its acidity and mineral backbone offer enough complexity to reward closer attention.

Where is Clean Slate made? Clean Slate Riesling is produced by Moselland, a major winegrowing cooperative, from vineyards along the steep, slate-covered slopes of the Mosel River Valley in western Germany.

What foods pair well with Clean Slate? Spicy Thai curries and pad Thai, where the wine's sweetness tempers heat; roasted pork loin with apple chutney, echoing the wine's stone fruit notes; sushi and sashimi, where acidity cleanses the palate; soft cheeses like brie or young gouda; and lemon-dressed salads or ceviche that match the wine's citrus brightness.

What sizes does Clean Slate come in? Clean Slate Riesling is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Clean Slate worth the price? Clean Slate positions as a value-tier Mosel Riesling, and with 90 points from Wine Enthusiast, a Best Buy designation from Wine & Spirits Magazine, and a Gold Medal at the Berlin Wine Trophy, it consistently over-delivers for its price category.

Why Clean Slate?

What separates Clean Slate from the crowded field of affordable Rieslings is genuine Mosel provenance at an accessible price. The slate soils of the Mosel's steep vineyards — stones so valued that fallen pieces are physically carried back uphill from the river — impart a mineral backbone that gives this wine more complexity than most wines in its tier. A 90-point score from Wine Enthusiast and a Gold Medal at the Berlin Wine Trophy confirm that this is not simply a branded commodity wine; it is a legitimate expression of one of the world's great Riesling regions. For anyone seeking a versatile, food-friendly white with real regional character, Clean Slate makes a compelling case.