Last Day of Winter

The last day of winter and the weather was on that cusp - cool and gray but not cold nor biting.  The grill is up and running and there was a two rib thick pork chop from a Berkshire hog that spent half an hour warming up with a mop sauce of cider vinegar, dark soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, granulated garlic and onions, salt, pepper, oil and water.   It was basted half a dozen times both directly over the coals and when it was finishing on the cooler side of the grill.   

The wine was one of my favorites - a Riesling from Alfred and Rolf Merklebach in the Mosel.  Specifically it was and Urziger Wurzgarten Spatlese from the 2009 vintage.  With it's sharp acidity and its taste of ripe apples it was just a dream with the fatty pork.  And the sharpness of the vinegar on the surface of the chop was a perefect partner for the residual sugar in the wine.  This was a treat.  I have never had a Merkelbach wine that hasn't been a thrill to drink.

2009 Alfred Merkelbach Urziger Wurzgarten Riseling Spatlese.  9% alcohol and $20.