What Is The Best Riesling Wine

Best Wine Pairings For Vegetarian Lasagna

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Oaked Australian Chardonnay especially for mushroom dishes

Sauvignon Blanc Particularly with goats cheese lasagna

Gavi

Argentinian Torrontes especially for the very green and low cheese recipes

White Rioja Reserva Brilliant with the more creamy dishes, especially with mushrooms

Friuli Pinot Grigio with lighter more delicate recipes

Jim Barry The Lodge Hill Dry Riesling Clare Valley Australia

While some of our tasters found this bone-dry bottle a little harsh, acid fiends will appreciate its bracingly tart, lemony palate. The floral notes on the nose are unmistakably Riesling-esque, but there is none of the honeyed sweetness or creamy texture many American drinkers associate with the variety. Serve it with oysters and salty snacks. Average price: $18.

Best Red Wine: Barons De Rothschild Lafite Legende Bordeaux Rouge

Légende R Bordeaux Rouge has been at every Thanksgiving dinner I have been to over the last several yearsit is truly a versatile high-quality wine, says Robert Barron, sommelier at The Cellar in Los Angeles: ” pairs amazingly with turkey, especially when served alongside a dried cranberry stuffing, green bean casserole, or fresh cranberry sauce. The slight vegetal notes in the wine blend seamlessly with the green beans and sauce in the casserole pairing with the fresh cranberry sauce truly awakens the red and black fruits in the wine and also melds well with both the herbs and the dried cranberries in the stuffing.

This Bordeaux, which is a cabernet sauvignon and merlot blend made by winemaker Diane Flamand, is not only a great representation of the region but it also wont break the bank .

Barron also recommends the Légende R Bordeaux Blanc, a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, paired with oven-roasted turkey and oyster stuffing: The high minerality and slight salinity dance very nicely with the salt in the oysters and the herbaceousness of the stuffing. I also find that this particular wine adds a perceived subtle sweetness from the Semillon that heightens the slight sweetness of the turkey. Finally, the bright acidity cleans the palate with each sip. It’s as if youre tasting the meal for the first time every time.”

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Perfect Riesling Food Pairings

Most Riesling is found in the range of dry to just slightly sweet, making it incredibly food friendly – it pairs well with sweet-fleshed fish like sole, freshly shucked oysters and most Asian food. The off-dry styles in particular are a natural accompaniment to the spicy, sour, and sweet flavors that define many Thai and Indian recipes. This is due to the blend of tropical fruits and acidity present in these wines, as well as their low alcohol content, which balances the heat found in the food. Dry German Riesling pairs perfectly with anything that contains fall fruit. Think pork chops with apples, pear and arugula salad, or butternut squash. Sweeter styles work well with fruit-based desserts.

Riesling In 60 Seconds:

• Riesling is an aromatic white grape variety thats native to Germany. Its also commonly found associated with Alsace , the Clare and Eden Valleys , and the Finger Lakes .
• Riesling arrives in a range of styles from bone dry to sweet dessert wines to sparkling.
• Riesling is one of just a few white wines that can age for decades.
• Riesling can pair with all food types but its high acidity and natural sugars make it a great match for spicy cuisines.

Read Also: Lowest Calorie Chardonnay

How To Pair Riesling With Food

Riesling pairs well with all food types, but it really excels when sipped alongside spicy food. Whether its the herbs of a fragrant Thai salad or the rich spices of Indian cuisine, Riesling provides the perfect partner. The wines natural high acidity keeps the palate fresh, while bottles with residual sugar help tame particularly potent spice.

Core Grapes & Wines

Best Under $: Leitz Dragonstone Riesling 2018

Courtesy of Drizly

• ABV: 10.5%
• Tasting Notes: peach, pear, citrus, wet stones, honey

With water flowing from the Swiss Alps and a quartz-based soil system, Germanys Rheingau region is well known for its riesling production which makes up almost 80 percent of all wine grapes grown there. Taking advantage of the hallowed land is winemaker Johannes Leitz who has a reputation for being one of the top growers in the region. Much of that praise can be attributed to this Dragonstone Riesling, a mighty wine that packs a punch.

It iswell-balanced and semi-dry with an exceptional finish, lendingitself to serve beside pork and cured meats.

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Trimbach Riesling Clos Sainte Hune 2014

Trimbachs most famous wine, exemplary in how a Riesling can age beautifully. It’s the potential, reliability and flawless results of every vintage that makes Clos Sainte Hune a collectors favourite. The 2014 vintage is bone-dry with concentrated flavours of floral honeysuckle, juicy pear and citric acidity.

Baden Franken Wrttemberg Saale Unstrut Sachsen

Baden produces some fine Rieslings, most notably those of Andreas Laible and Schloss Neuweier.

Full-bodied and often bone-dry, firm and earthy, Franken Rieslings are considered to be among the most masculine of Germanys wines. Top growers include Bürgerspital Würzburg, Horst Sauer, Johann Ruck, Juliusspital Würzburg and Schmitts Kinder.

Riesling is an important variety in Württemberg, with vigorous, rustic flavours Beurer, Dautel, Fürst zu Hohenlohe-Oehringen, Graf Adelmann, Schnaitmann, Wachtstetter and Wöhrwag make particularly good wine.

Along with Sachsen, Saale-Unstrut is Germanys most northerly wine region and also one of its smallest. Lying above the 51st parallel, Sachsen covers just under 500 hectares. The Rieslings here are relatively light but can be quite rich, pure and mineral. Good wines are made by Günter Born, Lützkendorf, Pawis, Karl Friedrich Aust, Schloss Proschwitz, Schloss Wackerbarth and Zimmerling.

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Best Affordable Riesling Wines To Try

Riesling wines are dynamic, food-favoring wines that continue to gain fans on an international level. This single grape varietal has great variety and expression, adding to the interest and versatility of this noble white wine grape. Riesling is distinct in character, and any wine drinker recognizes it at first sip.

These recommended Rieslings span some of the most well-known Riesling grape-growing regions: Germany, Alsace, Washington State, California, and Australia. German Rieslings tend to be a little lower in alcohol and sweeter on the palate. Alsatian Rieslings lean toward drier styles with more minerality and crisp acidity. New World Rieslings from Washington or California can be a mix of the two or cater to a style all their own.

Sommelier Secrets For Riesling

It can be difficult to discern the level of sweetness in a Riesling, and German labeling laws do not make things any easier. Look for the world trocken to indicate a dry wine, or halbtrocken or feinherb for off-dry. Some producers will include a helpful sweetness scale on the back labelhappily, a growing trend.

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What Are The Best Wines For Dessert

Dessert even just the word evokes a certain sweet, savory comfort. To most people, dessert means the final culinary experience of an evening following dinner. Images of cake, chocolate, pudding, jello, fruit, and other assorted sugary treats float through the mind.

One thing that might not come as automatically into the spotlight is wine.

The truth is, though, that there are many wines designed to be desserts. For one who may never have heard this before, it may come as a shock. Dessert is generally seen as a part of a meal in other words, a solid food, not a drink. This guide is here to help you or help you show your guests how great a dessert the right drink can be.

Not every wine is equipped to fill this role, however. Indeed, the ones meant to cap off a night the right way are dubbed dessert wines for a reason. Like many of the food desserts above, they are sweet in taste. From fortified wines to ice wines, there are tons of choices.

Many of them are also low in alcohol content. They are not intended as tools to get drunk, rather treats to be savored. But before we get to our list of the best wines for this, lets go over a few cardinal rules of serving wine as a dessert.

• If you want the focus to be the wine, do not serve solid dessert as well
• Use the 3 oz. serving size to ensure savoring
• Serve in shallow glasses
• Use a wine cooler whenever possible. If not possible, store wine in the refrigerator for no more than 2 days
• Limit refills

Best Sweet Riesling Wines

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Best Italian: 2018 Antinori Castello Della Sala Cervaro Chardonnay

Having been in the business since the late 1300s, you can always trust the Antinori family to deliver amazing wine. And like the Antinori family who grew grapes in their Tuscan vineyards for multiple generations, this knockout 2018 Chardonnay fully encapsulates their style of winemaking: innovative, genuine and timeless.

This is a textured wine with notes of green apple, pear, vanilla, oak, hazelnut, and peach, along with an even acidity and a buttery finish. It’s delicious now, but the flavor will improve over the next few years. As excepted, this beautiful Italian wine pairs well with pasta dishes.

Domaine Belles history dates back to feudal times, but all these years later, theyre still one of the most impressive winemakers cultivating the land of the Northern Rhône Valley. Just two white grapes are permitted by law to be grown in Crozes-Hermitage: marsanne and roussanne, of which this blend is comprised of 70% and 30%, respectively.

Organically farmed grapes are aged in 20% new oak on the fine lees, revealing notes of melon, butter, quince, apricot, fennel and a light touch of honey. Medium-bodied with an edge of sea salt, this is an exceptionally strong white to accompany an array of dishes.

Josmeyer Riesling Le Kottabe Alsace France

Can something smell sweet? The nose on this Riesling from Frances Alsace region makes a strong argument for it, inviting comparisons to everything from Funfetti Betty Crocker cakes to Italian meringue. The medium-bodied palate combines acid up front with a balanced finish. Its an approachable wine with considerable value for money. Average price: $25.

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Best Budget Red: 2019 El Libre Malbec

Wine.com

Region: Argentina| ABV: 13% | Tasting Notes: Plum, Blackberry, Tobacco, Vanilla

Argentinian malbec is insanely popular for a reasonits smooth, velvet-like texture and plump black fruit flavors make it one of the most crowd-pleasing red wines on the planet. Malbec is a great alternative to cabernet sauvignon, with similar bold, dark fruit but softer tannins.

El Libre is one of the most budget-friendly options weve come across, and it doesnt sacrifice flavor for value. Inky plum, blackberry and black cherry fruit get a bit of an edge from earthy notes of tobacco and leather, and oak aging adds toasty vanilla and spice flavors.

Best Ros: 2020 Pratsch Ros

Courtesy of Wine.com

Region: Austria | ABV: 11.5% | Tasting Notes: Strawberry, Watermelon, Peach, Raspberry

Rosé has been having a moment for a while now, so there are many great options to choose from in a wide range of styles. For beginners, we recommend a light, dry style with lots of fresh, vibrant fruit, like this high-value gem from Austria.

Its made from the zweigelt grape, a locally popular variety that is known for bright berry flavors accented with a hint of black pepper, reminding us a lot of pinot noir. Succulent strawberry, watermelon, raspberry, peach, and pear notes are lifted by vibrant acidity and a hint of hibiscus perfume in this refreshing pink wine that makes a perfect companion to parks, picnics, and pools.

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Cantine Argiolas Costera Cannonau Di Sardegna 2019

Cannonau, made from the Grenache grape, is often enjoyed with spit-roasted suckling pig and seafood pasta on the island of Sardinia. Fruit and earth on the palate, with bright acidity announcing the smell of plums and dark cherries, this wine is a top example of the style. Pair it with anything from pork chops to paella. Rating: 91

Best Dessert Replacement: Chteau Guiraud Petit Guiraud Sauternes

Courtesy of Drizly

Region: Sauternes, Bordeaux, France | ABV: 13.5% | Tasting Notes: Honeycomb, ginger, vanilla cream

When seeking out great dessert wines, Chris Raftery, sommelier at Gramercy Tavern, recommends looking to second releases from top producers. Just like the dry wines of the region, many producers release a second wine at a more affordable price for earlier consumption: enter Petit Guiraud, the second wine of Château Guiraud, a top estate dating back to 1766, he says. Raftery cites decadent notes of honeycomb, ginger, and vanilla cream from the wine, describing it as everything you want from Sauternes, yet doesnt break the bank.

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Hirsch Vineyards East Ridge Pinot Noir 2018

What a wonderful expression of Sonoma Pinot Noir. It is on the lighter side of this grape, but donât let that fool you. The acidity is bright but does not compromise the fleshy fruit that smells like cherries with a whisper of cinnamon and earth. Chill this wine down a bit, and your mind will be blown. Rating: 95

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Dr Loosen Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Auslese

If youre looking for a very special Riesling wine that you can showcase at your celebration, dinner party, or to give as a gift then the 1998 Dr Loosen Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Auslese Wine will be just the ticket.

You can get one 750 ml bottle of this for $72 or three for $216. While this is more expensive than the other Riesling wines on the list, it is actually an extremely good price for what you get.

The 1998 Dr Loosen Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Auslese Wine is from the Dr Loosen Winery which is located in Urzig, Germany. This is one of the best places in the world to get authentic Riesling wines which is why it carries a heavier price tag. Not only does it come from the best place but it also uses 100% Riesling grapes.

All of this adds up to a very special wine that is perfect for those grand occasions. The 1998 Dr Loosen Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Auslese Wine will look fantastic on your wine rack too!