Weingut Reverchon, “Filzener Herrenberg” Riesling Grosses Gewächs

One of the top thrill-inducing categories in recent years has been Grosses Gewächs. These texturally rich, explosively mineral, Grand Cru-equivalent gems represent the pinnacle of elite dry German Riesling. But as with all things great, these “GGs” do not come cheap: Fine examples start in the $50s, and the ones that truly excel push past $75 and well into the triple digits. We understand not everyone can—or wants to—spend that kind of money on a single bottle of wine. But wine need not be as cliquish as many make it out to be. There’s something for everyone, and if you want to try a specific style without breaking the bank, sensational alternatives can be found with some hunting. Some lie right around the corner, others across the street, but one must navigate through a dark tunnel and down a back alley in order to arrive at today’s $39 Grosses Gewächs. How can a genuine bottle of GG be both affordable and delicious, you may ask? Read on to find out, but trust us when we say it’s a br