Riesling; the beloved grape
“I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to my food.”
– W.C. Fields
The basics
Riesling is a white grape variety and is one of the most well-known grape varieties in the world. It prefers cold to moderate climates overall, and often benefits from steep, river-facing slopes. The grape is incredibly versatile. It can anywhere from dry to sweet, and light to full-bodied. But its style will be determined by where it grows.
Riesling is a beloved grape, and the darling of many wine-lovers. In general, the wines produced from this grape can be highly acidic and complex.
Does Riesling just come in a blue bottle?
Ah, no – well, at least, not just in a blue bottle. Rieslings infamous blue bottle phase was popularised by the German wine producer, Blue Nun, in the 1980s and 1990s. Many generations remember the overtly stylised long blue bottles with a brown label and nuns wearing blue habits.
This style of wine is called Liebfraumilch and is a semi-sweet white wine from the Rhine region of Germany. Although it became popular decades later, the earliest examples of Blue Nun can be traced all the way back to the 1920s. These wines were often made from Germanic grapes – such as Riesling.
In its heyday, these wines were considered to be the pinnacle of sophistication and Blue Nun was one of the first global wine brands ever created. Since then, its reputation has tanked – and Blue Nun is now associated with cheap, mass produced wines.
Which countries produce Riesling?
Germany
Mosel
Rheingau
Pfalz
These mostly northernly German regions produce some of the most sought-after Rieslings in the world. Amongst these, the most northern region, Mosel, will see grapes that struggle to ripen, and as a result, produce the lightest-bodied wines of the three. Helped by stoney soils and south-facing river slopes, these grapes benefit from as much sunlight as possible.
France
Alsace
Alsace is one of the driest and sunniest regions in France, protected by the Vosges mountains. With east and southeast facing slopes, the climate is perfect for ripening Riesling grapes. A long, steady growing season adds to these optimum conditions.
Austria
Wachau
Kremstal
Austria has a very similar climate and geography to Germany’s Riesling. With steep, stoney slopes facing the Danube, these Rieslings are able to have long ripening seasons. Some of Austria’s most famous vineyards are dedicated to growing these wines.
New York, USA
Fingers Lakes AVA
Up and coming in the New Wine World is the Finger Lakes AVA in the USA. This region produces some of the finest Riesling in the west, benefiting from the cool to moderate climate. With more than 130 wineries, this region is one to watch.
Food pairings for Riesling
Riesling is a particularly tricky wine to pair with food. In general, the wine pairs excellently with more exotic cuisines – specifically Thai, Chinese and Indian. As a general rule, remember, the more spicy the food, the sweeter the wine should be.
Thai cuisine
Thai cuisine and Riesling are a match made in heaven. The mix of spices such as sweet chilli and lemongrass pair perfectly with the lime and high acidity of conventional rieslings.
Pair with: Riesling from the Eden Valley or Claire Valley
Roast duck (especially in tangy sauce)
Roast duck is a fantastic accompaniment to Riesling. Particularly dishes in a zesty or tangy sauce, such as duck a l’orange or lemon-duck. Either of these will provide the adequate flavour challenge for especially dry Rieslings.
Pair with: A Riesling from Alsace, France
Goat’s Cheese
Goat’s Cheese is a well-loved cheese and infamous for its acidic and zesty flavour. So naturally, it makes the perfect pairing for Riesling. You can serve Riesling as an accompaniment to several iterations of this cheese – whether its part of simple charcuterie board, a goat’s cheese salad or a more complex dish.
Pair with: A Riesling from Rheingau or Pfalz