The White Wines of Germany

Class 3 on Monday was a trip. In addition to tasting white wines from Germany, we did a component tasting to help us identify the different elements of wine: acid, sugar, tannin and sulfur dioxide, which KZ added to samples of both water and wine. This will be useful in helping identify what's good and what's farkakteh.
I have a new respect for German wine, based both on what we tasted and on KZ's evangelism on the subject. Although I think they are still mostly too sweet for my palate, I can see adding one or two of these to my wine universe in the future.

1. Blind: A pale shade, with melon and cut-fruit aroma, almost a bit effervescent; light-bodied, nice zing, KZ remarked "like biting into fresh fruit." Surprise -- turned out to be Blue Nun. They need better PR, I guess.
2. Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling Kabinett 2001, J & H Selbach (Mosel): Pale yellow, scent of apricot and minerals; sweet at the start with nice layers of flavor and a lingering finish.
3. Burrweiler Schlosgarten Riesling Kabinett 2001, Messmer (Rhein-Pfalz): Medium gold, smell of fig, with full, juicy flavor, hints of pear, a pleasant dryness at the end, then a bit of sweetness that hangs on. This was my favorite.
4. Scharzhofberger Riesling Spatlese, 2001 (Mosel): Medium yellow, rubbery/woody/metallic aroma; juicy, low fruit flavor, a Jolly Rancher finish. Eh.
5. Haadter Burgergarten Riesling Spatlese 2001, Weegmullen (Rhein-Pfalz): Smelled of fresh berry, dew, hay; high fruit, balanced sugar, a very smooth finish. KZ said this was his best glass of wine in a very long time...
6. Kinheimer Rosenberg Riesling, Auslese 2001, Jakoby-Mathy (Mosel): Ivory-gold color, honey/creamy scent, smooth, with balanced fruit and a candylike finish. Elegant.
7. Deidesheimer Grainhubel Riesling Auslese 2001, Dr. Deinhard (Rhein-Pfalz): Honey yellow shade, aroma of prune, slight acidity, fresh and fruity.
8. Disznoko Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos 2000 (Hungary): Syrupy gold color, vanilla and blackcurrant scent, shadow of cinnamon; candy flavor, no acid, highly sweet -- compared to "liquid dried fruit." KZ refers to this type of wine, which can age for 150 to 200 years, as "the wine of the czars."