Wine Glossary

Riesling

          Riesling has for long been arguably the world's most undervalued grape.  Riesling is the great vine variety of Germany and could claim to be the finest white grape variety in the world on the basis of longevity of its wines and their ability to transmit the characteristics of a vineyard without losing Riesling's own inimitable style.  In the late 19th and first half of the 20th centuries, German Riesling wines were prized, and priced, as highly as the great red wines of France.  Connoisseurs knew that, thanks to their magical combination of acidity and extract, these wines could develop for decades in bottle, regardless of alcoholic strength and residual sugar.  Contrary to popular belief, Riesling is made at all levels of sweetness, (or lack there of).  Riesling wine, wherever produced, is notable for its powerful, rapier-like aroma variously described as flowery, steely, honeyed, and whichever blend of mineral elements is conveyed by the individual vineyard site.  Germany is the birthplace of Riesling, and certainly most of the greatest wine expressions of this grape are produced in Germany.  However, great Riesling is also being made in Austria, France (In Alsace), Australia, Washington State, California, New Zealand, northern Italy, and even Canada.

          We are featuring Riesling this month because Riesling wines are the most versatile food-pairing wines in the world and a perfect addition to your holiday feast.  Riesling's natural high-acidity makes them a mouth-wateringly delicious accompaniment to any meal.  A slightly sweet Riesling can be a phenomenal pairing with many ethnic cuisines where other wines simply don't stand a chance.  Be sure to ask one of our talented and knowledgable wine staff members for a suggestion as to which Riesling will be the best wine to complement your holiday meal, or any meal for that matter.

Wine Recommendations:

2010 Donnhoff Estate Riesling (Nahe, Germany)
2010 Monchoff Estate Riesling (Mosel, Germany)
2010 Ch. Saint Michelle "Eroica" Riesling (Washington State)

Food Recommendations:

The Sky is the limit with Riesling!
Try a slightly-sweet Riesling with spicy foods.

Wine Knowledge:

Food and Wine Pairing;

Artichokes and asparagus are two of the most difficult foods to pair with wine.  They contain a substance known as "cynarin" that has the effect of making water taste sweet and wine taste metallic.  German Rieslings, French Muscat from the Alsace region, and Austrian Gruner Veltliner can sometimes be an agreeable wine pairing with asparagus and artichokes.