Ideas for Choosing Riesling Wine for Your Taste

A glass of wine is the perfect way to celebrate special moments in life and Riesling is one of the most popular wines in the world. It comes in different styles – whether you prefer it dry, sweet or sparkling, there is one for every taste and occasion. Originally from Germany, you can now find it in different parts of the world like Australia, New Zealand, the USA, France and South Africa and each region adds its own special flavour.

To ensure you pick a Riesling wine that suits your taste, think about the flavour you want and where it comes from. No matter the style, Riesling will continue to win the hearts of wine lovers around the world.

Understanding the Types of Riesling Wines

One common question about Resiling is: Is Riesling wine sweet or dry? It can be both sweet and dry, it all depends on the style. The styles range from crisp and dry to sweet, with off-dry sitting in the middle, offering the perfect balance between the two.

Dry Riesling

Dry Riesling has a clean, crisp flavour with fruity hints like green apple or lime. Instead of sweetness, the fruity notes give the wine a nice, refreshing taste. It’s a perfect choice for those who enjoy dry wines with a bit of fruitiness. It’s light and refreshing and goes well with many foods, especially light dishes like seafood and salads. If you enjoy a wine that isn’t too heavy or sugary, you will love dry Riesling.

Sweet Resiling

Sweet Riesling is a wine that tastes, well, sweet. The sweet taste comes from the fruity flavours of peach, apricot and honey. Yes, that’s correct. Honey is often used in sweet Rieslings to enhance the wine’s natural sweetness. It balances the fruity notes and makes the wine taste sweeter. It’s the perfect treat for those who love enjoying a good glass of wine with deserts, or even spicy foods and cheese. While honey, apricot and peach contribute to the sweetness of the Reisling, the sweetness mainly comes from the grapes themselves. To achieve that level of sweetness, the grapes are left to ripen longer on the wine or

While honey, apricot, and peach contribute sweet notes to Riesling, the sweetness mainly comes from the grapes themselves which are often left to ripen longer on the vine. Another way to achieve this is by stopping the fermentation process before the sugar is fully converted to alcohol. Winemakers do this to help the wine retain the natural sweetness of the grapes.

Off-Dry Riesling

If you prefer something that’s not too sweet or dry, off-dry styles offer the perfect balance. It has a little bit of sugar in it, just enough to enhance the fruity flavours. The sugar gives a touch of sweetness, but still keeps the fresh and crisp flavours. Because off-dry Rieslings have just the right perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, they are a great choice for beginners.

Sparkling Riesling

Sparkling styles are made from white Riesling grapes, which is why they are typically considered Riesling white wines. The sparkling version is the fun, fizzy cousin of Riesling. It still has the fruity flavours of the traditional Riesling, but the bubbles make it extra special. It tastes light and refreshing and it’s easy to drink, whether on its own or with light snacks and cheese.

Where Is Your Riesling From?

Riesling is grown in different parts of the world and each region has its own way of making it which results in different styles and flavours. That’s why the country where the wine is from can give you a good idea about the type of Riesling you’re buying.

Australia

Australia is well known for its Rieslings, especially regions like Clare Valley. While there are different styles, Australian Rieslings are usually dry and zesty, with a fresh, citrusy taste.

Germany

Germany is the homeland of Riesling, where these grape varieties were first grown. German styles can range from dry to sweet, with flavours of apple, peach and honey.

France

Riesling is made in the Alsace region of France. French styles are often rich, and full of mouth-watering flavours coming from fruits, spices and flowers.

USA

Riesling is produced in two main regions in the USA: Washington and California. American Reilsings can be both sweet and dry, with flavours of lime, apricot and maybe a little bit of honey.

This shows that no matter where your bottle comes from, you get to enjoy a unique twist, and you might be just a purchase away from finding your new favourite taste.

What Food Pairs Well With Riesling?

Riesling pairs great with various dishes. For instance, dry Rieslings go well with seafood, light pasta dishes and grilled vegetables. Off-dry styles pair nicely with roasted chicken, soft cheeses and dishes with a hint of sweetness like honey-glazed salmon. Sweet Rieslings balance well with spicy food like Indian or Thai cuisine and desserts. No matter the style, you can always enjoy a nice glass of Riesling with your favourite food.