Choosing the Perfect Wine: Riesling
"Wine is sunlight, held together by water."
-Galileo
Riesling is a classy white that appeals to wine fans of many stripes. With a long finish and flavor that ranges from fruity to even slightly spicy, riesling is a great dinner wine for parties since it blends well with a variety of dishes. In fact, a riesling can be an ideal complement to Asian inspired meals--it has enough body to hold up to the spice of even these flavorful dishes. However, even simple dishes such as trout can be wonderful with a crisp riesling wine due to this versatile white's appealing blend of sugars and acidity. It's wonderfully drinkable--even for wine newbies!
The true rieslings originate from Germany and their cultivation dates back to the 15th century. However, some of the finest rieslings produced today come from the U.S.'s west coast. The riesling grape is suited to cold temperatures, so it's not surprising that Washington offers some delicious whites made from this berry.
The true riesling wines made in the U.S. include the Johannisberg riesling, the Rhine riesling, and the white riesling. Other bottles with "riesling" on the label that are produced in America tend to be made from different grapes and are of a much lower quality. These names will change depending on where the wine originates from; different areas of the world produce a range of varietals.
Good quality rieslings can range from slightly sweet and delicate (these are from the early harvests) to intensely sweet and fruity. Pear, apricot, and apple flavors are not uncommon, and due to the growing conditions, slate tinges from the surrounding minerals are also a typical nuance. Tartaric acid helps balance out the sugary flavor of the riesling, ensuring that the average riesling isn't overpoweringly sweet. Late harvest wines are especially sweet, since noble rot (Botrytis cinerea) shrivels the grapes and concentrates the sugars. These late harvest rieslings can even be excellent dessert wines. Plus, rieslings can be stored for a very long time--even up to the century mark!
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