Riesling

Mention Riesling to your average wine drinker and the nose will go up straight away in disgust.

Even though a lot of new wine drinkers haven't even tried Riesling it's poor reputation proceeds it and it get's left on the shelf.

There were bad days for Riesling, mainly due to over production resulting in super poor wines being released in the late 70's early 80's.

Things have changes, however, and Riesling is a changed wine. It's not for everyone but then again not every wine is.

Rieslings home is in Germany where it produces wine unlike any other

WHAT:

A light - medium bodied wine with high acidity.

Incredibly aromatic with a wonderful scent.

A cool climate grape that doesn't do well with the heat.

Rieslings have great aging potential and develop incredible distinctive notes of gasoline and diesel with age - while this might sound disgusting, the taste is incredible.

Some of the best Rieslings are collectors items that command huge prices.

Riesling can be produced in both sweet and dry versions. It is rarely oak aged.

WHERE:

Germany - Mosel, Pfalz, Rheingau

France - Alsace

Austria

Australia - Clare Valley, Adelaide Hills, Eden Valley

New Zealand

USA - California, Washington State

Canada - Niagara

FLAVOURS/TASTES:

Apricot, peach, apple, pear, pineapple, lemon and lime zest.

Honey, beeswax, petrol, rubber, diesel fuel

FOOD PAIRINGS:

Riesling is spice's best friend!

Because if the acidity in Riesling it tames spice in food making it really drinkable with Asian foods like curries.

Rieslings acidity also makes it a good pairing with light meats and fatty meats such as pork and duck.