Paul Cluver, Riesling, Elgin

Screw cap. Pale, almost watery colour. Spiced apple on the nose. Orchard/citrus fruit on the palate (quince?) and a slightly oily, medium length finish, with tongue prickling acidity. Decent new world Riesling but not exceptional. Should drink well for a few years yet.

Birmingham Offline (Siam Thai Restaurant, King's Heath) : 12% Screwcapped. This has a very pale, light lemon colour. On the nose, there's a very fresh, lemony minerality - quite a chalky minerality. Very pleasant, lovely palate. A bit simple maybe, but it could have done with being served a touch cooler. This is clearly riesling, but it's not German, not Alsace and probably not Australian. Possibly New Zealand, possible South American, which would make it a 2007.