Leonard Kreusch Zeller Schwartz Katz

Leonard Kreusch Zeller Schwarze Katz is a semi-sweet German white wine from the Mosel region, bottled at 9.5% ABV in a 750ml format. The 2020 vintage earned 85 points from Wine Enthusiast reviewer Anna Lee C. Iijima, reflecting the consistent quality of this accessible Mosel blend built on Riesling and Müller-Thurgau grapes.

Quick Facts: ABV: 9.5%  |  Origin: Mosel, Germany  |  Style: Semi-Sweet White Blend  |  Producer: Leonard Kreusch GmbH & Co. KG, Trier

Production & Heritage

Leonard Kreusch GmbH & Co. KG operates from Trier, one of Germany's oldest cities and a historic center of Mosel winemaking. The Zeller Schwarze Katz designation refers to a Grosslage — a collective vineyard site — surrounding the village of Zell along the Mosel River, where steep slopes and slate-rich soils shape the character of the grapes. The blend pairs Riesling's bright acidity and aromatic complexity with the softer, rounder fruit profile of Müller-Thurgau, resulting in a wine that balances sweetness with structure at a restrained 9.5% alcohol.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Soft, fragrant notes of citrus blossom and green apple greet the nose first, followed by ripe pear and honeydew melon. Light floral hints add an inviting aromatic lift.

Taste: The entry is fresh and fruit-forward, with candied citrus and green apple flavors taking the lead. At mid-palate the wine turns medium-bodied and pleasantly sweet, with guava-like tropical notes emerging alongside lemon acidity that keeps the sweetness in check. A subtle mineral thread, drawn from those slate-laced Mosel soils, runs through the palate and adds depth.

Finish: The finish is medium in length, clean and crisp, with lingering citrus peel and a faint mineral edge. A gentle sweetness trails off without turning cloying.

How to Drink Zeller Schwarze Katz

Serve well chilled, between 45–50°F, to let the acidity and fruit shine without letting the sweetness dominate. A wine glass with a narrower rim concentrates the delicate aromatics. For cocktail-style serves, try it in a Spritzer — topped with chilled sparkling water and a lemon twist, its natural sweetness makes added sugar unnecessary. It also works in a Hugo Cocktail, replacing the usual Prosecco with this blend for a more fruit-forward take accented by elderflower and mint. A Wine Cooler with fresh peach slices and a splash of club soda makes a refreshing warm-weather drink that highlights the melon and pear character.

Best For

• Introducing wine newcomers to German Mosel whites
• Pairing with spicy Asian cuisine at a dinner gathering
• Warm-weather patio sipping on a summer afternoon
• A casual hostess gift for someone who enjoys off-dry wines

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Zeller Schwarze Katz taste like? It is a semi-sweet, medium-bodied white wine with dominant flavors of green apple, citrus, and honeydew melon, balanced by bright lemon acidity and a light mineral finish drawn from Mosel slate soils.

How does Zeller Schwarze Katz compare to Moselland Zeller Schwarze Katz? Both wines share the same Grosslage origin near the village of Zell, but the Moselland version is a pure Riesling with a crisper, more acidic profile emphasizing lemon and apple. The Leonard Kreusch bottling blends Riesling with Müller-Thurgau, yielding a rounder, slightly softer wine with more tropical fruit character.

Is Zeller Schwarze Katz good for beginners? Yes — its low 9.5% ABV, approachable sweetness, and bright fruit flavors make it one of the most accessible entry points into German wine for those unfamiliar with the category.

Where is Zeller Schwarze Katz made? It is produced by Leonard Kreusch GmbH & Co. KG in Trier, Germany, using grapes from the Zeller Schwarze Katz Grosslage in the Mosel wine region, known for its steep riverside vineyards and mineral-rich slate terrain.

What foods pair well with Zeller Schwarze Katz? Thai green curry, where the wine's sweetness tempers the chili heat; mild soft cheeses like Brie or young Gouda that complement rather than overpower the fruit; sushi and sashimi, especially with ginger; fresh fruit tarts that echo its apple and melon notes; and roasted pork with an apple glaze, which mirrors the wine's core fruit profile.

What sizes does Zeller Schwarze Katz come in? The standard size is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Zeller Schwarze Katz worth the price? It positions firmly in the entry-level value tier of German whites, delivering reliable Mosel character and food-friendly versatility at an everyday price point that makes it easy to keep on hand.

Why Zeller Schwarze Katz?

The Zeller Schwarze Katz Grosslage is one of the most recognized vineyard names in German wine, and Leonard Kreusch's version showcases why. The Riesling-Müller-Thurgau blend strikes a balance that pure Riesling bottlings from this area often don't — tropical fruit depth alongside the zippy Mosel acidity that keeps everything refreshing. At 9.5% ABV, it sits in a sweet spot for daytime drinking, spice-friendly food pairing, and casual entertaining without the heaviness of higher-alcohol whites. Its 85-point Wine Enthusiast score on the 2020 vintage confirms that this is a well-made, dependable expression of Mosel terroir at its most approachable.