Winery Location: Luxembourg
Halfway through Advent we stop by Luxembourg to try Crush Rivaner. Luxembourg may be a tiny country but it does have a notable wine industry, holding its own against Germany and even France. The most commonly grown wine grape in Luxembourg is the Müller-Thurgau grape, known locally as “Rivaner”, a portmanteau of “Riesling” and “Sylvaner”. (Interesting sidenote for the grape geeks: according to Wikipedia in 2006, DNA fingerprinting determined that the parents for the Müller-Thurgau grape were not Riesling and Sylvaner but Riesling and Madeleine Royale.)
Crush is a good wine for casual drinking. It is relatively low in alcohol content (10.5% ABV), light in body and structure and is fruit forward with flavors of citrus fruits such as lemon and grapefruit and peach. It’s also surprisingly food friendly and is pretty versatile in that regard, Costco recommends pairing it with various dishes from Fettucine Alfredo to fruit salad to potato chips. Crush can also be enjoyed solo, naturally. Its intense fruit flavors and aromas with its light, crisp nature make it a delight to drink on a warm summer evening. Overall, Crush is a comfortable wine, Costco compares it to your favorite pair of blue jeans, and I can’t come up with a better metaphor.
Ed's Wineglass Adventures 