Price: $10
Maker: Imported by Prestige Wine Group from Germany
Varietal: Riesling
Packaging: 750 ml bottle, artificial cork
Alcohol: 9 %
Our Rating: 8.5 out of 10
One’s first impression of Starling Castle Riesling 2006 comes from its gorgeous bottle. The surface of the bottle is frosted, except for one polished area on the front in the shape of a bird in flight. Like the better-known Belvedere Vodka bottle, the clear spot on the front of this wine bottle lets you view an image on the opposite side, in this case an ancient castle. With the light golden color of the Riesling, it’s a very nice effect and surprising for a wine this affordable. But, enough about the bottle… Starling Castle Riesling starts with melon and peach aromas, leading into pear, pineapple, and grapefruit flavors. This wine is at the sweeter end of the spectrum for a Riesling, but is saved from being cloying by a light crispness in the finish.
Overall, Starling Castle Riesling is light, sweet, and refreshing – it would pair well with fruit or cheese. The sweetness would match up with some spicier Asian fare as well. This is kind of a light-duty wine, but overall is certainly pleasant enough.
The Prestige site notes that this wine as scored a couple of modest medals:
Silver Medal, 88 pts, “Best Buy” German Wine Challenge 2007
Silver Medal American Wine Society Commercial Wine Competition 2007
They claim the wine “was inspired by the flocks of starling birds that hover around the vines of this grand wine vineyards hoping to catch some of the golden, sweet Riesling grapes during autumn harvest.” Birds or not, this is a pleasant and attractive wine.
THIS IS THE BEST WINE I’VE EXPERIENCED. CONSEQUENTLY I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE THE WINE IN THE CITY OF DETROIT AND I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO EXPERIENCE IT AGAIN. . . CAN YOU TELL ME WHERE I CAN PURCHASE THIS DELICIOUS WINE.
Carol,
I just found your question. Sorry this reply is so late for you. We found Starling Castle at a restaurant in Siesta Key FL. There was a liquor store right next to the restaurant. That took care of us for a sort time. When we returned home, we were unable to find this wine. I found it online from Shop Rite Liquors in New Jersey. I have ordered a few times from them, but have found the price ever increasing. Today, I found Super Wine Storehouse and a price lower than I have seen before. The shipping usually runs $30 – $35. Most websites have a calculator right on their website to help you figure out shipping costs. You might want to look around yourself. Google the wines name and then you acn browse yourself. It’s nice to find someone else who enjoys this wine as much as I.
This wine is available from liquor stores in the twin cities for ~$10, as is their Gewurztraminer.
Drive to where there is a Hy-Vee Grocery store in Missouri-Iowa….They carry it.
We have it here in Winston-Salem N.C. There is a fabulous restaurant in the down town are called The Old Fourth Street Filling Station. I had it there for the first time. The chef at this place is awesome!!!! He said he can get me bottles any time I want him to.
I have a bottle of stirling castle riesling 2006. Can you please tell me What year It peeks at?
We had the opportunity of sampling this wine while vacationing in Florida. We live in Illinois and now wish we had purcased bottles to bring home. It is most EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!! Where in the Chicago area (suburbs) can we buy this wine?
Thank you (would like as gifts this Christmas)