A wine lover's cabinet won't be complete without a Riesling. And contrary to the reputation it has gained as a sweet-as-sugar wine, it's not just for the sweet tooth. Riesling can be a sommelier's or anybody's go-to drink: the one you can bring to most parties or eat with most food. Read on if you want to know more about Riesling wines and why they are entirely 'obsessable.'.
A Short History of Riesling
Riesling is a variety of white grapes originating in the Rhine region in Germany. These grapes are typically more suited to grow in cooler wine regions since they can survive colder temperatures than other grapes. Riesling usually has floral or apple aromas in these vineyards and high acidity.
Riesling grapes are grown in warmer regions worldwide, influencing their acidity, nose, and dryness. Depending on their area of origin, they are used to make dry, semi-sweet, sweet, and sparkling wines. Countries that have hectares of Riesling vineyards include:
Germany, Austria, Romania, USA, Alsace (France), Australia, Ukraine, China and Italy. In some of these regions, you can find Riesling wines with citrus, peach, and lime notes. Regardless of the harvesting area, Riesling wines are pure and seldom oaked. Riesling is also known for its high acidity. It is an ideal grape for late-harvest wines since grapes usually lose this acidity as they are left unharvested.
Now Onto Obsessing
Riesling is one of the most misunderstood wines, earning a reputation for being too acidic or too sweet. But here are six reasons that will make you fall in love with this wine if you haven't already:
Very Versatile to Taste
Wherever you heard that Riesling wines are too sweet in profile, they have yet to explore all the varieties of Rieslings on offer today. Numerous Rieslings can prove them wrong. They can be sweet (Auslese, Spatlese, or Trockenbeerenauslese) or very dry, like those from Alsace, France, or Trocken from Germany.
It is Very Food-Friendly
Some can say that Riesling is one of the best choices to pair with food. Sweet Rieslings are great to pair with spicy foods since the fruit-forward taste will help neutralize the spice. When aged, they work well with salty foods. Some wines are not ideal for consumption alone without pairing them with food, which tones them down.
For example, wines with high alcohol content drink optimally paired with richer, heavier meals. But since Riesling wines have lower alcohol content, they can pair with many foods, from starters to desserts.
Regarding desserts, Riesling's fruity flavor makes it usually perfect for fruit-based and creamy, sweet desserts. It will enhance the sweetness of a fruit pie if you're someone with a sweet tooth. They can also be a great addition to wine tastings. Their acidity helps to cleanse the palate so you can be ready for the next wine to taste. This effect can also apply when trying out different foods.
It can Age in the Bottle Beautifully.
Many white wines are not aged, and the wines that are, usually only sit for 1 to 2 years. But Riesling wines are different. Their high acidity allows them to age better. Rieslings are fresher in the first year of being bottled. But as they age, their sugars and acids evolve to a more complex flavor that gives the wine a more pleasing taste. Some Rieslings can even age up to 20 years. Of course, you still must follow the proper storage for wines, so their flavors stay intact. Placing them in a temperature-controlled environment with no light exposure, heat, or strong odor will be best for aging these wines.
It is Generally Not Too Expensive.
Like most wines, Rieslings can come in all price ranges. While some premium Riesling wines can be costly, especially ones from German and Austrian vineyards, Riesling wines, in general, remain an affordable choice for your staple drink.
Good Addition to Cocktails
As mentioned previously, Riesling wines can act as palate cleansers. This characteristic makes them a good component for different styles of cocktails. In addition, because of Riesling wine's high acidity, some bartenders use it as a substitute for lemon or lime drinks. Whether you want to amplify dry, acid, or fruit flavors, Rieslings make an excellent complementary component of cocktails without being a show-stealer. Instead, it adds a fruity or floral flavor to mixed drinks that are intense but not overwhelming.
It's Lower in Alcohol
Riesling wine's alcohol can range from just 8% to 12% ABV, which belongs to the lighter wine spectrum. That means you can enjoy a long conversation with a Riesling in your hand! In fact, get another bottle.
Some great examples, available in many stores:
SA Prum Essence Riesling: The Prum family's dynasty dates back to the 12th century, making them one of the most renowned wineries to turn to in the Mosel. For every price point and palate, SA Prum has something for everyone.
A.J. Adam Riesling Trocken: This very young winemaker heir helped reestablish a small area in the Mosel that was practically barren by the 1970s. He runs the vineyards with his sister, Barbara, and is today represented by one of New York's most reputable importers/distributors of fine wines.
Dr. Loosen Red Slate Dry Riesling: The Dr. Loosen dynasty is a well-recognized and respected name in German Riesling winemaking, and their vineyards span the Mosel, the Pfalz, the Saar Valley, and various other regions throughout Germany. Whether you're looking for dry, sweeter, or sparkling wines, there is a myriad of wines under the Loosen name that will broaden your education.
Dr. Konstantin Frank, Dry Riesling, Finger Lakes, NY: Let us not forget that if there is one varietal that epitomizes New York wines, it's Riesling. The Finger Lakes in upstate New York combine climate and soil to produce the purest expression of fine Riesling. Dr. Konstantin Frank, an immigrant from Ukraine, was instrumental in putting New York on the map, and his 140 acres produce 38 different wines today.
