my opinion of a Vin D'Alsace Riesling I had tonight

[bakadue]

My girlfriend and I had a bottle of '99 Lucien Albrecht, Riesling from the Alsace region of France. I found this to be one of the most disappointing bottles of wine I have drank in some time. Very dry when compared to other Rielsings and not easy to drink. Any experiences, opinions of this wine?
We also drank a bottle of 2000 Louis Jadot, Beaujolais Villages as suggested from innKeeper (it is a friday night). I found this to be quite complex, and exciting in appearance and taste. Experiences and opinions of this wine as well please.

[Bucko]

Three things, Lucien Albrecht is not the best producer in Alsace although capable of making nice wines, Alsatian Riesling is not as easy to like as German Riesling initially. The Alsatian version seems to be an acquired taste over time. It took me years before I appreciated it as much as the Germans.

[Thomas]

Alsatian Rieslings certainly are different than German ones and they certainly are an acquired taste--but the latter is true for all wine, especially with novices.

I believe the key to getting started and enjoying wine is to have wine with food. Alsatian wine, as most wines in the Old World tradition, are for food--certain foods at that. Riesling is among the most versatile food oriented wines on the planet, and it is an injustice to evaluate the Alsatian version by omitting food from the wine/value/like/or dislike equation.

Do this: get the wine again; taste it alone; then, taste it with sausages, preferably topped with a good mustard; taste the difference.

[This message has been edited by foodie (edited 01-19-2002).]