Riesling can be polarizing … extremely polarizing!
Why?
Some people tasted German Riesling in the 1970’s and 1980’s, and the experience left them scarred. Some dislike the pronounced aromatics, which they mentally associate with sweet wines even when the wine is dry. Some think all Rieslings are sweet. Others find Riesling too acidic - sometimes too tart.
I often mention that all we experience things differently, and one particular Riesling aroma is notable in this regard. Some identify it as wet stone, and others a petrol/kerosene like quality which if balanced with the fruit adds amazing complexity. In extreme cases however… as I was asked while working at a tasting room: “Is this supposed to smell like fresh asphalt?” If that’s you, I get it! (I gave the guy a different wine!)
A well-made Riesling balances this particular mineral note with floral aromas and fruit flavors that can range from green apple to striking mango! An age worthy Riesling develops toasty, nutty, and honeyed flavors. Such aged Rieslings can fetch prices in the hundreds of dollars due to their demand! See polarizing!
Are you building to a crescendo??? Get there already!
… wait for it!
Asian cuisine!
Where Riesling really shines is with food! Particularly Thai, Vietnamese, Indian, sometimes Japanese, and similar food cultures’ dishes! The richness, the use of spice and spicy condiments, and the (sometimes) fruity undertones of these foods lend to a wonderful pairing with Riesling.
Riesling’s pronounced fruit intensity allows it to stand up to very flavorful food’s mosaic of spice complexity. The wine’s naturally high acidity also cuts through the richness of these foods.
In terms of level of sweetness (or dryness), a.k.a. level of residual sugar, Riesling ranges the full gamut from bone dry to lusciously sweet (think Ice Wine). With a high level of spiciness in the food, choose a sweeter Riesling. The higher residual sugar wine will have lower alcohol (as less of the grape sugar has converted to alcohol). When paired with spicy food, high alcohol can have a burning quality, which is off-putting and a distraction to the meal.
Remember, a great food and wine pairing should be experienced as one entity. It’s simply ONE experience …. I just made that sound spiritual! (YES!) It is, really. There is no you, there is no wine, there is no food … only ONENESS! It just flows and you are absorbed in the experience…(and then afterwards you may even need a smoke!)
Oh man, maybe take it down a notch, sheesh!
That must tempt you, no? If you started this article as an anti-Rieslinger, perhaps don’t have it as a patio-sipper - But with food!!
Back to alcohol.
A trick is to use alcohol per volume (abv) to help verify sweetness level. For example, if the food is not spicy, then choose a Riesling with 12 to 13% abv - it will be dry to off-dry. And if you like your food very spicy?! Go down to 7-8 % abv for the most sweetness. Think of these as the book ends, a continuum that you move up and down depending on what you experience and depending on the food. That is what I did! Have fun with it, try various Rieslings with different cuisines.
I also tried playing with different grapes with Asian cuisine… and there are certainly other options … but to me, none even close to the same one-ness (and cigarette cravings for a never-smoker …).
There!
You are in a mood today! At least tell me what countries are your Riesling favs?
Easy!
German, aged Austrian (typically made dry - they will knock your socks off!), Australian (typically made dry), and Canadian Rieslings are my go tos! Which lead us right into this lovely!
Hello Someday Riesling 2021 from Okanagan Valley, Canada
Style: Off-Dry Fruity White Wine
Varieties: 100% Riesling
This lively wine has intense flavors of apple, lemon, pear, lychee, passion fruit, honeydew melon, and dry fennel, and the complexity of wet stone, petrol, and white pepper, with a persistent finish.
Best pairings: Thai, Vietnamese, & Indian cuisine, Fish, Beef or Turkey Tacos, Dishes with Fruit Flavors, Pork Schnitzel, Green Salads with Fruit Dressed with Citrus or Mango dressing, Pungent cheeses: Taleggio, Munster, Morbier.
Serving Temperature: 8 degrees Celsius
Price: ~$27 (incl. Shades of Grape 15% discount & 5% gst)
Serving Tips: No decant necessary
I have compiled all my relevant wine recommendations in one place including today’s wines. I will do my best to keep this up to date. That version also has links on where to find the wines in Alberta.
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SOURCES:
Robinson, J. (2015) The oxford companion to wine. 4th rev. ed. Corby: Oxford University Press.
Robinson, J. (no date) Riesling, Riesling | JancisRobinson.com. Available at: https://www.jancisrobinson.com/learn/grape-varieties/white/riesling (Accessed: 21 January 2024).
Wine & Spirit Education Trust (2021) D3: Wines of the World - An accompaniment to the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines. Version 1.2. London: Wine & Spirit Education Trust.