Heinz Eifel Riesling Auslese

Heinz Eifel Riesling Auslese is a sweet German Riesling from the Mosel Valley, bottled at 8.0% ABV in a 750ml format. The 2016 vintage earned 89 points from Wine Enthusiast, which praised it as a surprising bang-for-your-buck Auslese with irresistibly fruity character and lingering honeyed finish.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8.0%  |  Origin: Mosel, Germany  |  Style: Auslese (Sweet)  |  Producer: Romerhof Winery (Heinz Eifel)

Production & Heritage

Heinz Eifel founded Romerhof winery in 1979 in Trittenheim, a village planted deep in the middle Mosel Valley. The Auslese is produced from 100% Riesling grapes that are hand-selected at very high ripeness levels during a late November harvest, when the vineyard leaves have already turned deep red — a sign of extreme physiological maturity in the fruit. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve aromatic purity, and the final blend is approved by a committee of oenologists and sommeliers before bottling at an ISO-certified facility.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with wet stone and lime before giving way to ripe apricot, peach, and orange blossom. Deeper inhalation reveals honey, almond, and tropical mango tones.

Taste: The entry is plush and elegantly sweet, carrying concentrated pineapple and white peach flavors across a round, full-bodied mid-palate. A fresh mineral tone and piercing lemon-lime acidity keep the sweetness in check, creating a juicy, darting mouthfeel rather than a heavy one. Ripe tangerine and apricot flavors peak toward the back palate.

Finish: The finish is medium-long and clean, lingering on sweet honeyed stone fruit and a streak of citrus zest. A faint mineral note provides a refreshing close that invites another sip.

How to Drink Heinz Eifel Auslese

Serve well-chilled at 45–50°F in a tulip-shaped wine glass to concentrate the aromatics. This Auslese is built for sipping on its own as a dessert wine or alongside food, but its lower 8.0% ABV also makes it a versatile ingredient in wine-based drinks. A Riesling Spritz — topped with sparkling water and a lemon twist — highlights its natural acidity. A Hugo Variation using this Auslese in place of prosecco with elderflower syrup and mint amplifies the tropical fruit. It also works beautifully in a White Sangria, where its concentrated stone-fruit character adds depth without requiring additional sweetener.

Best For

• Introducing someone to German sweet wine without overwhelming complexity
• Pairing with a cheese course at a dinner party
• After-dinner dessert sipping on a warm evening
• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates Mosel Riesling

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Heinz Eifel Auslese taste like? It is a lush, elegantly sweet Riesling dominated by ripe apricot, peach, and pineapple flavors, balanced by piercing lemon-lime acidity and a fresh mineral undertone. The finish trails off with honeyed stone fruit and citrus zest.

How does Heinz Eifel Auslese compare to J.J. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spätlese? Both are sweet Mosel Rieslings with tropical and stone-fruit profiles, but the J.J. Prüm is a Spätlese — a step below Auslese in ripeness classification — and tends to show more complexity, subtle petrol notes, and higher acidity. The Heinz Eifel is more overtly fruity and forward, positioned at a significantly lower price tier.

Is Heinz Eifel Auslese good for beginners? Yes — its approachable sweetness, low 8.0% ABV, and vibrant fruit make it an excellent entry point for anyone new to German Riesling or sweet wine in general. The balancing acidity prevents it from tasting cloying.

Where is Heinz Eifel Auslese made? It is produced by the Romerhof winery in Trittenheim, located in the middle Mosel Valley of Germany. Heinz Eifel founded the winery in 1979, and all bottling takes place at an ISO-certified facility in the region.

What foods pair well with Heinz Eifel Auslese? Thai green curry — the sweetness tempers chili heat and complements lemongrass. Blue cheese or aged Comté — the acidity cuts through richness while the fruit echoes the cheese's complexity. Fresh fruit tart — stone fruit and citrus in the wine mirror the dessert. Pan-seared foie gras — a classic Auslese pairing where sweetness and acidity balance the fattiness. Spiced carrot cake — warm spice and cream cheese frosting find a natural counterpart in the wine's honey and apricot notes.

What sizes does Heinz Eifel Auslese come in? The standard bottling is 750ml, which is the most widely available format.

Is Heinz Eifel Auslese worth the price? It positions as an entry-level Auslese, and Wine Enthusiast has repeatedly described it as a bang-for-your-buck option within the category. For drinkers seeking a genuine Mosel Auslese experience without the investment required for estate-level producers, it delivers strong value.

Why Heinz Eifel Auslese?

What separates this wine from many Auslese bottlings at its price point is the combination of genuine late-harvest concentration and clean, precise winemaking in stainless steel. The November picking date pushes the grapes well past standard harvest windows, building the apricot and tropical intensity that Wine Enthusiast recognized with 89 points. At 8.0% ABV, it sits lower in alcohol than many sweet wines, making it lighter on the palate and more versatile at the table. For anyone seeking an honest, fruit-driven Mosel Auslese that delivers well above its weight class, this remains one of the most reliable options on the shelf.