Why Riesling? A Primer for International Riesling Day.

 March 13th is International Riesling Day! If you want to join in with people all over the world pouring a glass of this beautiful and unique white varietal, but perhaps don’t know where to start as you look at the vast selection available, here is a what you need to know about the lovely Riesling.

First, let’s start with a common misconception about Riesling; not all Riesling is sweet! And if you are drinking a “sweeter” Riesling, you may be confusing fruitiness with sweetness. Riesling tends to have intense flavours and aromas of nectarine, apricot, honey-crisp apple, and pear, which are separate from the concentration of sugar in the wine. 

Riesling is also known for its high acidity which is why most vintages are either quite fruity or dry in order to balance out the acidity on the palate. These elements make Riesling a great food pairing wine, especially when it comes to spicy dishes or meals with bold Indian or Asian spices. If you’re looking for a cheese pairing, stick to soft and delicate cheese made with cow’s milk, paired with dried fruits. Lastly, this varietal is great with vegetables that are roasted or have a natural sweetness such as squash, carrots and bell peppers. 

Whether you prefer dry or sweet Riesling, here are a few tips to help you find what you are looking for. 

Indicators of a Dry Riesling

• Riesling from Alsace (a wine region on the border of Germany and France) 
• “Trocken” German Riesling (a dry style with higher alcohol content) 
• Most VDP German Rieslings (a classification that was created for quality dry 
• Rieslings, check the label for “Qualitätswein” and “Trocken” to ensure that it is dry) 
• Most Australian Rieslings from the Clare and Eden Valleys 

Indicators of a Sweet Riesling

• A German “Prädikatswein” Riesling (traditionally sweet) 
• Some labels will also say “sweet” on them or even “feinherb” which means off-dry. 

Now let’s talk about the origins of Riesling. This white grape is originally from the Rhine region of Germany, but it is now grown all over the world. German Riesling itself has an entire labeling system that refers to different elements of the wine, such as its origins, quality and sweetness/dryness levels. For example, “Deutscher Wein” and “Landwein” are forms of Germany’s “table wine” classification, while “Qualitätswein” and “Prädikatswein” are known as high-quality wines. This unique labeling system has many levels of understanding, so visit the Wine Folly website if you want to learn more! 

Now that you know a little more about this varietal, the best way to celebrate International Reisling Day is to sip on some delicious Riesling! What are you going to be drinking tonight?