Photo Source: Casleah Herwaldt
Certified Sommelier Casleah Herwaldt is passionate about wine education and exploration. She manages the wine sales team for Central California for a major distribution company, while also traveling to wine regions around the globe—and always finding the perfect wine to pair with dinner.
Photo Credit: Casleah Herwaldt
What variety or style from Bordeaux do you think deserves more attention?
I think white Bordeaux blends are underrated! They are light, crisp and refreshing… the perfect wines for summer. Sauvignon Blanc gets so much attention elsewhere in the world and I think people forget about the delicious “Sauvy B” blends coming from Bordeaux’s Entre-deux-Mers and Graves appellations. Not to mention how delicious Semillon is!
Speaking of Semillon, the delicious botrytized sweet wines from Sauternes and Barsac deserve more attention. There’s nothing that makes me happier than a chilled glass of Sauternes and a piece of blue cheese.
Photo Credit: Casleah Herwaldt
What is your favorite food and German wine pairing?
What I love about German wines is the diversity. There are so many different varieties made in Germany, but I think they do Riesling best. People often only think of sweet wine when they think of Riesling (which is mouthwateringly delicious), but a lot of Riesling from Germany is dry and pairs perfectly with Asian cuisine. Think Thai, Indian, Chinese, Ramen, dumplings, dim sum and more. Sign me up for a nice, chilled bottle of Riesling and to-go containers filled with dim sum on the cozy couch!
Photo Credit: Casleah Herwaldt
If there’s one thing you could tell readers about wines from Bordeaux and Germany, what would it be?
When it comes to the red wines of Bordeaux, it is worth learning which appellations are on the Right Bank and which are on the Left Bank. The Left Bank is usually Cabernet Sauvignon-forward, which adds a bit more structure, while Right Bank reds are usually more Merlot-based, making the wines velvety smooth. Both are amazing, but when shopping for Bordeaux wines, the appellation is typically listed on the label instead of the grape variety or blend.
And while Germany is known for its outstanding Rieslings, there is so much variety coming from the country. Step out of your comfort zone and try some new varieties like Dornfelder or Silvaner!
Photo Credit: Casleah Herwaldt
Can you share a favorite memory from your recent trip to Germany and Bordeaux?
It’s so hard to choose just one… the entire trip was a dream! One memory that stands out is Château Cantemerle in the Haut-Médoc appellation of Bordeaux. The wines were outstanding, the lunch was exquisite, and we got to put on a bee suit to visit the estate’s honey bee colony!
Photo Credit: Casleah Herwaldt
Clink Different is hosting in-store tastings at select Total Wine & More and Whole Foods locations in California! What German and Bordeaux wines do you recommend from these retailers?
Casleah’s Total Wine & More Picks:
- Château Cantemerle Haut Medoc (Bordeaux)
- Valckenberg Dornfelder (Rheinhessen, Germany)
- Worth the splurge: Château Rieussec Sauternes (Bordeaux)
Casleah’s Whole Foods Picks:
- Clean Slate Riesling (Mosel, Germany)
- Les Hauts de Lagarde Bordeaux Blanc (Bordeaux)
Find a Clink Different in-store tasting near you to practice your newfound wine knowledge.