RIESLING

     AN AROMATIC WHITE VARIETY THAT CAN PRODUCE WHITE WINES RANGING IN STYLE FROM BONE-DRY TO VERY SWEET. GERMANY IS THE WORLD’S MOST IMPORTANT PRODUCER OF RIESLING.

 

     TASTING RIESLING STARTS WITH INTENSE AROMAS THAT RISE FROM THE GLASS (EVEN WHEN THE WINE IS ICE COLD).  THIS AROMATIC WINE OFFERS PRIMARY FRUIT AROMAS OF ORCHARD FRUITS LIKE NECTARINE, APRICOT, HONEY-CRISP APPLE, AND PEAR.

 

     BESIDES FRUIT, YOU’LL OFTEN SMELL THINGS LIKE HONEYCOMB, JASMINE, OR LIME PEEL, ALONG WITH A STRIKING AROMA THAT SMELLS SIMILAR TO PETROL OR PETROLEUM WAX (A NATURAL COMPOUND CALLED TDN). ON THE PALATE, RIESLING HAS HIGH ACIDITY, SIMILAR TO THE LEVELS IN LEMONADE.

 

     TRADITIONALLY, MOST RIESLING WINES ARE ON THE SWEETER END OF THE SPECTRUM, IN ORDER TO BALANCE THE WINE’S HIGH ACIDITY. NOWADAYS, THERE IS ALSO A DEAL OF DRY (AS IN, NOT SWEET) RIESLING FOR THOSE WHO PREFER A LEANER-TASTING WINE.

 

     THOSE WHO LOVE RIESLING APPRECIATE IT FOR ITS PRONOUNCED AROMATICS AND FOOD-FRIENDLINESS. SWEETER STYLE RIESLINGS MAKE A PERFECT ACCOMPANIMENT TO SPICY DISHES, SUCH AS ASIAN FOODS. THE OFTEN OVERLOOKED DRIER STYLES OF RIESLING PAIR WELL WITH LIGHT MEATS AND FISH.

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RED MEAT

PORK, BEEF

POULTRY

CHICKEN, DUCK, GOOSE

SEAFOOD

SHRIMP, PRAWNS, MUSSELS, SNAPPER, SALMON, TROUT

CHEESE

BLUE CHEESE, AGED GOUDA, FETA, PARMIGIANO REGGIANO, HAVARTI, JARLSBERG, YOUNG CHEDDAR, MONTERAY JACK, BRIE, CAMEMBERT

HERBS/SPICES

HIGHLY SPICED AND AROMATIC HERBS INCLUDING CAYENNE PEPPER, GINGER, CLOVE, CINNAMON, ALLSPICE, TUMERIC, MADRAS CURRY, SICHUAN PEPPER, SHALLOTS, SOY SAUCE, SESAME, MARJORAM, BASIL, RICE VINEGAR, AND TERIYAKI SAUCE.

VEGETABLES

ROASTED VEGETABLES AND VEGGIES WITH NATURAL SWEETNESS INCLUDING COCONUT, RED ONION, BELL PEPPER, EGGPLANT, SQUASH, AND CARROT.

 

NEED SOME IDEAS?

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     THINK SPICE. OFF-DRY RIESLING WINES MAKE A GREAT PAIRING TO SPICY INDIAN AND ASIAN CUISINES AND DO EXCELLENTLY ALONGSIDE DUCK, PORK, BACON, SHRIMP AND CRAB.  BECAUSE OF RIESLING’S SWEETNESS AND ACIDITY, IT MAKES THE PERFECT ACCOMPANIMENT TO SPICY FOOD. STRONG INDIAN AND ASIAN SPICES ARE A PERFECT MATCH WITH RIESLING. A CLASSIC PAIRING WITH RIESLING IS SPICED DUCK LEG.