S A Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese

S A Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese is a late-harvest Mosel Riesling at 8.5% ABV in a 750ml bottle, produced from one of Germany's most celebrated vineyard sites. The Wehlener Sonnenuhr ("sundial") vineyard, recently designated Erste Lage by the VDP, is defined by its steep, south-facing gray slate slopes along the Mosel River — a terroir that has produced world-class Riesling for centuries.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8.5%  |  Origin: Mosel, Germany  |  Auslese Prädikat  |  Producer: S.A. Prüm

Production & Heritage

S.A. Prüm is a family-owned estate in the Mosel, led by Raimund Prüm since 1971. The Prüm family name is deeply intertwined with winemaking along the Middle Mosel, with multiple branches of the family operating separate estates in the region. For this Auslese, individually selected late-harvest berries — some touched by botrytis — are hand-harvested from the Wehlener Sonnenuhr vineyard, where gray slate with a notably high tin content imparts a distinctive mineral signature. The juice undergoes skin maceration before a slow five-week fermentation, followed by six months of aging in stainless steel to preserve the variety's pure aromatic profile and the site's minerality.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe white peach and apricot lead, followed by honeycomb and a flinty, wet-slate undertone. As the wine opens, delicate floral notes emerge alongside hints of citrus blossom.

Taste: The entry is rich and honeyed, with concentrated stone fruit and a lush sweetness that is immediately checked by bright, racy acidity. Mid-palate, the gray slate terroir asserts itself through a pronounced mineral thread that gives the wine structure and tension. The interplay between residual sugar and acidity creates a precise, taut balance rather than cloying sweetness.

Finish: Medium-long, with lingering notes of fresh apricot, a saline mineral edge, and a clean citrus lift. The finish stays vibrant and refreshing despite the wine's Auslese-level richness.

How to Drink Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese

Serve lightly chilled, between 46–50°F (8–10°C), in a standard white wine glass to allow the aromatics to develop fully. This Auslese is at its best sipped on its own as a contemplative pour, but it also pairs beautifully with food. A Riesling Spritz works well with a slightly less precious vintage — combine with sparkling water and a twist of lemon to showcase the wine's acidity. It also serves as a striking base for an Auslese Kir, replacing Champagne with this honeyed Riesling and a touch of cassis. For a seasonal punch, try it in a chilled Stone Fruit Sangria, where the wine's peach and apricot notes amplify fresh summer fruit.

Best For

• Gifting a serious Riesling enthusiast or German wine collector
• Pairing with a formal dessert course at a dinner party
• Cellaring for future drinking — Auslese Rieslings from top Mosel sites can age gracefully for decades
• Introducing someone to the depth and complexity of Prädikat-level German Riesling

Frequently Asked Questions

What does S.A. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese taste like? It delivers concentrated stone fruit sweetness — think ripe peach and apricot — balanced by racy acidity and a distinctive flinty, slate-driven minerality characteristic of the Wehlener Sonnenuhr vineyard.

How does S.A. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese compare to Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese? Both wines are produced from the same famed vineyard site but by two separate Prüm family estates with distinct winemaking philosophies. J.J. Prüm's version is one of the Mosel's most critically acclaimed wines, consistently scoring 94+ points from major publications, while S.A. Prüm offers a different interpretation of the same terroir, typically at a more accessible price point.

Is S.A. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — its balance of honeyed sweetness, bright acidity, and mineral depth make it a rewarding standalone sipper, best enjoyed slightly chilled to highlight its aromatics and freshness.

Where is S.A. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese made? It is produced by the S.A. Prüm estate in the Mosel wine region of Germany, from grapes grown in the Wehlener Sonnenuhr vineyard — a steep, south-facing slope of gray slate on the banks of the Mosel River near the village of Wehlen.

What foods pair well with S.A. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese? Thai green curry or pad Thai, where the wine's sweetness tempers chili heat; foie gras or duck liver pâté, whose richness matches the wine's concentration; Roquefort or Stilton cheese, where sweet and salty create a classic contrast; fruit tarts with apricot or peach, which echo the wine's stone fruit character; and spiced Moroccan tagine, where warm spices find harmony with residual sugar and acidity.

What sizes does S.A. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese come in? The standard size is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format for this Auslese.

Is S.A. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese worth the price? S.A. Prüm positions as a more accessibly priced estate compared to its famous neighbor J.J. Prüm, making this Auslese a strong value proposition for anyone seeking Wehlener Sonnenuhr terroir expression without the premium commanded by the most sought-after Mosel producers.

Why Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese?

The Wehlener Sonnenuhr vineyard is among the most storied sites in all of German winemaking, and Auslese represents a Prädikat level that demands genuinely ripe, individually selected berries — often with beneficial botrytis influence. S.A. Prüm's decision to ferment slowly over five weeks and age exclusively in stainless steel preserves the purity of both the Riesling grape and the gray slate terroir, resulting in a wine that speaks clearly of its origin. At 8.5% ABV, this is a naturally low-alcohol wine with genuine concentration and aging potential, a style that has no real equivalent outside the Mosel. For anyone building a cellar or exploring the upper tiers of German Riesling, this bottling delivers site-specific character from a family with deep roots in the region.