Twelve years ago, I walked around the corner, my arm tucked in my father’s. My heart racing as I passed underneath the oak trees, carrying a bouquet of gardenias. I chose them because I love the contrast of their sturdy evergreen leaves and the delicate white blossoms. Their fragrance, one of my favorites, is at once persistent and soft. They are classic and exotic.

A few weeks ago, after a particularly trying day, I opened a sample of 2015 St. Urbans-Hof Wiltinger “Alte Reben” Kabinett Feinherb Riesling. One essence stood out to me: gardenia. There were notes of petroleum, herbs, apple, something tropical, perhaps guava, and lemon peel. But the one I kept coming back to was gardenia. From the first sip, I was impressed. Packing a full punch of acidity, it kept me coming back for more.

Grown in the Saar valley of the Rhine region, these grapes see some of the coolest temperatures.  Grown in iron-rich soil over Devonian slate, these older vines are arch-trained. The minerality is evident and the fruit impactful. Even the next day, the fruit and acidity held firm. At around $18, it is slightly out of the “Monday” range, but some Mondays deserve a little more love. There is plenty in this bottle.

Another characteristic of gardenias? They are finicky, turning brown with touch or water and need to be cared for accordingly. My florist cautioned me to be careful when I held them. Perhaps they were, indeed, and appropriate choice for a wedding bouquet.

I insisted my husband try it, although we try not to drink much during the week. He was equally impressed. As gardenia is not a note I’ve found before, I asked what flowers he thought of while drinking it and he echoed my thoughts. And while others may or may not be struck by the resemblance to gardenias, my favorite husband agrees. Perhaps the notes are truly there to be found, perhaps a result of twelve years of learning to properly care for one another.

{This bottle was provided as a media sample by Creative Palate Communications. Thoughts and opinions are my own and I received no other compensation.}