Spotlight on Waltraud, International Riesling Day

We’re joining the International Riesling Day celebration by shining a spotlight on Waltraud, the winery’s only and exclusive wine made from this variety. 

Waltraud has grown from our sweet rarity to positioning itself as an exemplary standard-bearer for the Riesling variety in Penedès. 

Waltraud, a Familia Torres property, is a Riesling varietal  

What You Need to Know About Riesling 

• Riesling is a white variety with a well-rounded, distinct personality. It is very aromatic, fruity, and high in acidity.  
• A late-ripening but very resilient variety, Riesling lends itself beautifully to the production of late harvest wines.  
• Like Chardonnay, it is widely cultivated and capable of adapting to and expressing itself in different kinds of soils and climates.  
• Riesling wines are rarely blended with other varieties, and, unlike Chardonnays, they don’t normally undergo extended oak ageing. This is because winemakers usually want to preserve the grape’s primary characteristic – its richly aromatic fruit – although Rieslings can age beautifully given their high acidity.  
• Dessert wines made from Riesling grapes affected by botrytis (noble rot) are complex and elegant. 
• The classic regions famous for making high-quality Rieslings are Alsace (France); Mosel, Pfalz, and Rheingau (Germany); Wachau (Austria); Eden Valley and Clare Valley (Australia), and others.

Enjoying a glass of Waltraud in honour of International Riesling Day 

The Organoleptic Characteristics of Riesling 

As we have seen, this is a variety that can adapt to different climates. This will determine the characteristics of the wine’s aroma and flavour, as well as how it is aged (oak or no oak). 

• In warmer climates, Rieslings offer up notes of stone fruit (peach) enveloped in crisp citrus.  

• In cooler climates, the variety’s profile heads into a fresh fruit (green apple) direction with floral notes. 

• With age, all Rieslings can develop complex, elegant notes reminiscent of smoke and honey.

Waltraud 2022 - Organic Wine - (DO Penedès)

Waltraud exemplifies the union of art and wine – not only is it named after the woman who inspired the wine, but it features her artwork on the label. The woman is Waltraud Maczassek, a German artist and the wife of Miguel A. Torres, who decided to create an elegant wine in her honour using German varieties. He chose Riesling: one of the white varieties most celebrated for its aromatic intensity, and, in this case, cultivated at the highest elevations of the Penedès region. 

“During the late 1970s, when we began making Rieslings, my father suggested we register the Waltraud brand name, in  recognition of the work my wife had done in the German Market.” M. A. Torres 

Waltraud originates from a vineyard that grows in deep calcareous clay soils, reddish in colour, moderately well drained, with a high water holding capacity, which brings out the full aromatic expression of white wines. 

Pale straw-yellow colour, clean and bright in appearance. Elegant and seductive on the nose, with a palate like liquid silk, and aromas oscillating between orange blossom, citrus (lemon peel), and notes of honey. Everything is enveloped in an elegance sustained by intriguing herbaceous undertones and a backbone of exceptional varietal acidity. Refined and firm-bodied yet silky with a luscious finish reminiscent of spice bread. 

How to Serve Waltraud at Home 

In terms of food, Waltraud is an ideal match for oysters and shellfish, and outstanding with fish, rice dishes, mariniere pasta, or duck in sweet sauce. 

Waltraud, a Familia Torres property, finds its perfect match in this dish

Some wines are simply a beverage, others are an experience – wines that go beyond enjoyment, that are more than their organoleptic attributes, that have something to say, a story worth telling. Waltraud is one of those wines.