Egon Muller Château Bela Slovaquie Riesling Blanc 2020

The domain

Weingut Egon Müller is one of the most legendary names in German wine, based on the steep slopes of the Scharzhofberg in the Saar Valley. Egon Müller IV has managed the family estate since 1991, succeeding his father Egon III, who died in 2001. The estate covers only a few hectares, but its reputation extends far beyond its size: some of its wines regularly rank among the most expensive white wines in the world.

A tiny vineyard with an immense reputation

Rarity lies at the heart of the estate's identity. The vines of the Scharzhofberg, planted on extremely steep slopes, are worked by hand with meticulous care, in keeping with a demanding Rhineland tradition. Yields are deliberately kept low, and the wines are aged in traditional oak casks. This rigorous approach explains why some Egon Müller cuvées become almost impossible to find as soon as they are released, sought after by collectors and Riesling enthusiasts alike.

A second project on the banks of the Danube

In 2001, Egon Müller took his expertise far beyond the Saar, partnering with Countess Ilona von Krockow to revive Château Bela, a historic estate in Slovakia on the banks of the Danube, where the first vines are said to have been planted by the Romans. Abandoned during the communist era, the estate was rediscovered by Müller in the late 1990s. He recognised a potential comparable to the finest terroirs of Alsace or Austria for producing dry Riesling. Winemaking is entrusted to Miroslav Petrech, the local cellar master, working closely with Müller himself on south-facing limestone soils.

Two styles from the same grape variety

White wine is the only style produced by these two estates, but they offer two very different expressions of Riesling. In the Saar, Egon Müller's Kabinett wines have an off-dry style in which residual sugar and acidity are balanced with the precision that has become the estate's hallmark. In Slovakia, Château Bela instead aims for a dry, vibrant profile, with lively acidity and notes of exotic fruit and minerality, designed to rival the great dry Rieslings of Alsace.

How to enjoy these wines

A sweeter Saar Riesling is best served chilled at around 8-10°C, either on its own or with a lightly sweet dessert. The drier, livelier Château Bela pairs well with sauerkraut, trout or asparagus, served at around 12-14°C, and its freshness also makes it a good match for raclette.