Wine of the Day for January 5, 2010
Riesling
Up until about 3 years ago when I became a wine consultant, Riesling was my favorite wine. (Now I enjoy ALL wines!!) They are light, range from dry to sweet, and I preferred the sweet when this varietal was a staple of my wine purchases.
There are a number of “classic” grape varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and others, all of which will be posted on my Wine of the Day, along with many others. Riesling is one of these “classic” grape varietals, and is believed to have originated in Germany, but now, this unpredictable grape is grown worldwide, and typically when grown in cooler climates results in fresh, crisp wines. Rieslings that have been subjected to noble rot result in very sweet, dessert style wines.
Common aromas and flavors with Riesling include honeysuckle, apple, pear and peach. Riesling is lovely with or without food and pairs well with Asian foods.
There are Rieslings on the market that one would consider flabby. They are sweet, but there is a lack of the fresh crispness that makes wine interesting and is a result of the wine’s acidity. In my opinion, a Riesling should be crisp; providing a much more lively dance on your tongue. So, regardless of whether you prefer a sweet or dry Riesling, if you want a party in your mouth (oh that sounds a bit racy!), be sure to select one that has balanced acidity for a mouth-watering crispness.
