Riesling for the petrol averse

[David_Bu3ker]

I also think the petrol is a phase. I have seen wines “grow out of it.”

[DougS]

@John Morris

@Scott Wiegand

So far I’ve heard:

1. Avoid warmer regions that are more likely to develop more significant amounts the TDN compound.
2. Specific regions may be better than others such as Austria, maybe Mosel or Rheingau, maybe Oregon.
3. Specific recommendations for Paetra, Leitz, Donnhoff
4. Drink them young
5. Mixed reports of RS being a determining factor

This should provide a good place to start, thanks everyone.

Except that … (2) a lot of the wines we’ve talked about having sulfur or sulfur-like scents are from the Mosel and (4) it’s often quite apparent young.

Big difference between sulfur aromas and TDN.

[John_Morris]

I guess you have to know what people are experiencing and how they’re describing it. I think people often use “petrol” and “diesel” interchangeably, and the latter often suggests sulfur fumes.

It looks like people in this thread are referring to petrol specifically. I hadn’t really realized how specific that usage seems to be here.

[Scott_Wi3gand]

Sulfur and petrol are definitely two different things, though I’ve never used the term diesel to describe sulfur, it would make sense. The sulfur usually blows off whereas the petrol doesn’t improve with air.

[DougS]

@John Morris

I guess you have to know what people are experiencing and how they’re describing it. I think people often use “petrol” and “diesel” interchangeably, and the latter often suggests sulfur fumes.

It looks like people in this thread are referring to petrol specifically. I hadn’t really realized how specific that usage seems to be here.

There’s definitely a lot of confusion surrounding the whole petrol/diesel/kerosene/turpentine thing. Whatever people mean when they say one of those, I think they’re all most commonly used to describe TDN. To avoid confusion, I think it helps to say “TDN” among people will know what that means. It’s a very specific aroma. None of the myriad of sulfur related aromas smell like that. I’ve never found sulfur compounds to smell like diesel fuel either, and I’m very familiar with the smell of diesel fuel, but maybe something comes across differently to you than it does to me.

[John_Morris]

@Doug Schulman

@John Morris

I guess you have to know what people are experiencing and how they’re describing it. I think people often use “petrol” and “diesel” interchangeably, and the latter often suggests sulfur fumes.

It looks like people in this thread are referring to petrol specifically. I hadn’t really realized how specific that usage seems to be here.

There’s definitely a lot of confusion surrounding the whole petrol/diesel/kerosene/turpentine thing. Whatever people mean when they say one of those, I think they’re all most commonly used to describe TDN. To avoid confusion, I think it helps to say “TDN” among people will know what that means. It’s a very specific aroma. None of the myriad of sulfur related aromas smell like that. I’ve never found sulfur compounds to smell like diesel fuel either, and I’m very familiar with the smell of diesel fuel, but maybe something comes across differently to you than it does to me.

I’ve been around people who use diesel (as in diesel exhaust) to refer to classic sulfur-dioxide. If you were ever in European cities before vehicle pollution controls, you’ll know what that kind of diesel smell is.

[John_Morris]

@Scott Wiegand

Does anyone have any recommendations on how to avoid this petrol note. I think drinking Riesling very young is one fix but are there regions with high quality Riesling that are less likely to be affected.

I think you’d like any of the 2015 German Kabinetts one of my groups tasted last night. I posted notes here.

[Scott_Wi3gand]

@John Morris

@Scott Wiegand

Does anyone have any recommendations on how to avoid this petrol note. I think drinking Riesling very young is one fix but are there regions with high quality Riesling that are less likely to be affected.

I think you’d like any of the 2015 German Kabinetts one of my groups tasted last night. I posted notes here.

Thank you for the recommendation, I read your post earlier and didn’t see any mentions of petrol so I was encouraged.

[Russell_Faulkner]

I can’t remember noticing petrol in a young (say under three year old) Riesling ever.

I’d say I’ve tried a thousand or so in the last few years.

[Marcus_Goodfellow]

@Scott Tallman

As you are in the Pacific NW like me, try some of the local Rieslings. I’ve yet to detect any petrol notes in the Rieslings from Paetra, Ovum or Love & Squalor.

+1

[DougS]

@John Morris

@Doug Schulman

@John Morris

I guess you have to know what people are experiencing and how they’re describing it. I think people often use “petrol” and “diesel” interchangeably, and the latter often suggests sulfur fumes.

It looks like people in this thread are referring to petrol specifically. I hadn’t really realized how specific that usage seems to be here.

There’s definitely a lot of confusion surrounding the whole petrol/diesel/kerosene/turpentine thing. Whatever people mean when they say one of those, I think they’re all most commonly used to describe TDN. To avoid confusion, I think it helps to say “TDN” among people will know what that means. It’s a very specific aroma. None of the myriad of sulfur related aromas smell like that. I’ve never found sulfur compounds to smell like diesel fuel either, and I’m very familiar with the smell of diesel fuel, but maybe something comes across differently to you than it does to me.

I’ve been around people who use diesel (as in diesel exhaust) to refer to classic sulfur-dioxide. If you were ever in European cities before vehicle pollution controls, you’ll know what that kind of diesel smell is.

Gotcha. I thought you meant the fuel itself.

[Michae1_P0wers]

@Russell Faulkner

I can’t remember noticing petrol in a young (say under three year old) Riesling ever.

I’d say I’ve tried a thousand or so in the last few years.

Funny thing, I would have thought this too, but the Richter VE kabinett I opened Tuesday night had unmistakeable petrol scents. First time I’ve ever found that in a young German riesling. I have found it in youngish Australian riesling though.

[Claus_Jeppesen]

Petroleum

[Greg_Xu]

@Daniel McIntosh

Give me the gas! Love it. In my experience, and I look for it, it’s found more in Alsatians than Germans.

Me too. I haven’t found any really petro Alsatians, any recommendations?

[Greg_Xu]

@Greg Xu

2. Avoid the warmer areas where it’s grown: Alsace, Washington State, Clare and Eden Valleys.

Which Washington State Riesling is very petrol?

I answer my own question: Milbrandt 2013. At $13 a bottle, I am loading it up.