Riesling wine, ahoy there! It’s time to raise your glasses and celebrate the joy of this wonderful wine that never fails as a must-have for our summer patio sessions. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur, or just someone who loves to drink whatever someone places in front of you, Riesling wine is one that you don’t want to miss out on. Let’s dive in.
About a year or so ago, I sat in on a virtual tasting with some good friends, done by Paul Grieco, who coined the phrase “Summer of Riesling” in NYC. I walked away with a newfound appreciation for a wine I hadn’t tried many times before, as well as an order of new Rieslings to try next. What’s great about this, is that it mixes things up a bit, and takes warm weather wines beyond summer rosé – which I still enjoy.
First things first, what does Riesling wine taste like? In general, it’s a white wine that has a crisp and refreshing taste, with a hint of sweetness. Although, level of sweetness can be subjective. I find most of the ones I’ve tried to be be on the sweeter side, while my husband doesn’t seem to find them as sweet as I do. You may find flavors of green apple, citrus, and stone fruits like peaches and apricots. The acidity is on the higher side, which adds to its refreshing taste and makes it perfect for warm weather.
Speaking of warm weather, Riesling is indeed a perfect choice for summer and warmer weather in general. It’s light-bodied and refreshing, which always works on a hot day, while the fruity and floral notes make it an excellent pairing with lighter foods – like summer salads, grilled seafood and spicy Thai or Indian dishes..
Now, let’s talk about the aroma of Riesling. It’s a complex wine that boasts a floral aroma with a touch of minerality. You can expect hints of honeysuckle, jasmine, and lime zest, which is enough for me to look forward to that first sip.
Riesling is typically from Germany, where it’s been grown for centuries. However, it’s also grown in other parts of the world, including the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Each region brings its unique twist to the wine, making it a fun wine to explore.
Finally, is Riesling wine a light-bodied, medium-bodied, or full-bodied wine? Well, it depends on the region and the winemaker. German Rieslings tend to be light-bodied, while Australian Rieslings can be full-bodied. However, overall, Riesling wine is known for its light to medium-bodied style.
With all of that being said, Riesling is a fun wine that’s perfect for summer and warmer weather. But it can absolutely be enjoyed all year round. It’s light-bodied, crisp, and refreshing, and the high acidity makes it an excellent pairing with food. So, next time you’re in the mood for a glass of wine, try a Riesling and let the fun begin! Cheers!
1.
Willamette Valley Vineyards Riesling 2021
ALCOHOL %
9.9%
COUNTRY
United States
REGION
Oregon
STYLE
Semi-Sweet
BODY
Light
Overview
Willamette Valley is known for producing Rieslings with bright, citrusy aromas and flavors of lime, lemon, and grapefruit. This wine features notes of nectarine, citrus and honeysuckle. Some of the other notes you may find include apple, pear and peach. It’s described as semi-sweet in terms of sweetness, and light-bodied with a crisp acidity – making it a refreshing choice for warm weather.
It’s a versatile wine that pairs well with a variety of food and desserts. Serve chilled and enjoy.
What Does It Taste Like?
ON THE NOSE
- Nectarine, and citrus.
- Notes of honeysuckle.
ON THE PALATE
- Fresh acidity and crispness, balanced with a semi-sweet style.
- Peach, pineapple and pear.
Pros & Cons
WHAT I LOVED:.
- Refreshing acidity and crisp taste
- Well- balanced, easy to drink
- Versatility allows it to be paired with light fare, spicy dishes and even desserts
JUST A HEADS-UP
- Sweetness can be subjective. While it’s described as semi-sweet, some still find it on the sweeter end of the spectrum
2.
Trimbach Riesling 2020
ALCOHOL %
13%
COUNTRY
France
REGION
Alsace
STYLE
Dry
BODY
Medium
Overview
Trimbach Riesling 2020 is a white wine from the Alsace region of France and is a highly regarded producer of Alsace Riesling. Their wines are known for their elegance, purity, and focus on expressing the terroir of the region. This Trimbach Riesling is dry, with bright acidity and flavors of citrus, pear and white peach, along with some minerality and hints of petrol notes.
In terms of sweetness, Alsace Riesling can range from bone dry to slightly sweet. Trimbach Riesling is typically dry, with little residual sugar. It is a medium-bodied wine, with a firm structure and a long, persistent finish.
So, to sum up, this is a great pick if you prefer a dry, less sweet, medium-bodied white wine with notes of citrus and tree fruits, and a hint of minerality.
What Does It Taste Like?
ON THE NOSE
- Citrus, pear and white peach
- There may also be subtle notes of petrol and green fruits.
ON THE PALATE
- Dry, balanced and not too sweet.
- Citrus fruits, lemon, lime. and a hint of minerality.
Pros & Cons
WHAT I LOVED:
- Dry and not sweet, which I prefer
- Refreshing acidity and crisp taste
- Well- balanced
JUST A HEADS-UP
- This one has notes of petrol, which I sometimes struggle with initially, but still ended up enjoying this one
3.
Dr. Hermann Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Kabinett 2021
ALCOHOL %
9%
COUNTRY
Germany
REGION
Mosel
STYLE
Semi-Sweet
BODY
Medium
Overview
The Dr. Hermann Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Kabinett 2021 is a white wine made from the Riesling grape variety grown in the Urziger Wurzgarten vineyard, located in the Mosel region of Germany. Known for its aromatic profile, the flavors and aromas can range from green apple and lime to honey and petrol.
Regarding the sweetness level, you’ll find a natural sweetness balanced by acidity, as it’s made from fully ripe grapes. It’s also a medium-bodied, with a lower alcohol content and a lighter mouthfeel.
Overall, Dr. Hermann Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Kabinett 2021 has flavors and aromas of spices, stone fruits and red berries, as well as notes of honey, with a long finish.
What Does It Taste Like?
ON THE NOSE
- Stone fruits, red berries, melon
- Citrus
- There may also be subtle notes of petrol
ON THE PALATE
- Sweet, with medium acidity
- Citrus fruits, stone fruits, honey
Pros & Cons
WHAT I LOVED:
- Notes of citrus and honey
- A great pairing for spicier food.
JUST A HEADS-UP
- This one is definitely sweet, which may not be your preference if you prefer your whites less sweet
4.
Trimbach Clos Ste. Hune 2017
ALCOHOL %
13.5%
COUNTRY
France
REGION
Alsace
STYLE
Bone Dry
BODY
Medium
Overview
Trimbach Clos Sainte Hune Riesling Alsace 2017 is a white wine grown in the Clos Sainte Hune vineyard, located in the Alsace region of France. With flavors and aromas that can range from notes of yellow plum, quince, green pear, lemon verbena, apricot, and tropical fruit, to some minerality and a hint of petrol, this Riesling is definitely a splurge.
Regarding the sweetness level, this one classifies as bone dry, with low residual sugar.
Trimbach Clos Sainte Hune Riesling is known for its full-bodied style, with a heavier mouthfeel than some of the lighter to medium-bodied wines.
It’s also known for its complex and intense profile, with flavors and aromas of citrus fruits, white fruits, white flowers, limestone and minerality. With age, this wine can develop more secondary and tertiary aromas, such as petrol and honey.
In summary, Trimbach Clos Sainte Hune Riesling Alsace 2017 widely considered to be a top Riesling, and the top Trimbach.
What Does It Taste Like?
ON THE NOSE
- Citrus, lemon and grapefruit
- Notes of limestone and petrol
- White floral
ON THE PALATE
- Bone dry, with a heavier mouthfeel
- Citrus fruits, lemon and lime, white peach
Pros & Cons
WHAT I LOVED:
- Bone dry style, low residual sugar
- Trying a 2017 to see how vintages develop over time
JUST A HEADS-UP
- This wine without a doubt carries a high price tag
5.
Dr Heidemanns Bernkastel Badstube Riesling Spatlese
ALCOHOL %
9%
COUNTRY
Germany
REGION
Mosel
STYLE
Semi-Sweet
BODY
Medium
Overview
Dr. Heidemanns Bernkastel Badstube Riesling Spätlese is a German Riesling wine produced in the Mosel wine region. As a Spätlese, it is made from grapes that are harvested later than usual, which results in a higher sugar concentration in the grapes , thus making it a bit of a sweeter wine.
On the nose, it’s often described as floral and fruity. You may notice scents of ripe peach, apricot, and lemon, with some hints of honey and mineral notes.
In terms of taste, this wine is known for its balance of sweetness and acidity. It is on the sweeter end of the spectrum, but not overwhelmingly so. There’s a refreshing acidity that keeps it from feeling too heavy. You might find flavors of tropical fruits, like mango and pineapple, along with some citrus notes like grapefruit and lime. You might also notice some mineral undertones, which are typical of Rieslings from the Mosel region.
Overall, it’s a medium-bodied wine that is fruity, slightly sweet, and balanced with acidity.
What Does It Taste Like?
ON THE NOSE
- Lemon peach and apricot
- Notes honey and mineral
- Floral
ON THE PALATE
- Sweet, balanced with acidity for a lighter mouthfeel
- Citrus fruits, lemon and lime, peach
- Topical fruitiness, like mango and pineapple
- Mineral undertones
Pros & Cons
WHAT I LOVED:
- Well balanced sweetness and acidity
- Bright fruitiness
- Pairs well with spicy dishes
JUST A HEADS-UP
- This wine is on the sweeter side, with some finding it a little too sweet for more than one glass
6.
Schmitt Sohne Riesling-Blue
ALCOHOL %
9-10%
COUNTRY
Germany
REGION
Rheinhessen
STYLE
Semi-Sweet
BODY
Medium
Overview
Schmitt Sohne Riesling Blue is a German Riesling wine that is known for its sweet and fruity taste profile.
On the nose, this wine is characterized by aromas of ripe peaches, apricots, and other stone fruits, as well as floral notes of honeysuckle and jasmine.
When it comes to taste, it is definitely on the sweeter side. It has a juicy fruitiness that is well balanced with a fresh acidity, which helps to prevent the wine from being too sweet. You can expect to taste flavors of sweet peaches, apricots, and green apples, as well as some hints of citrus like lemon and lime.
Worth noting? This wine is marketed as a “blue” wine, which means that it has a blue tint to it. This is achieved by adding a small amount of natural food coloring, which is derived from red grape skins. This (cool) blue color does not affect the taste or aroma of the wine in any way, it’s just fun!
Overall, Schmitt Sohne Riesling Blue is a sweet and fruity wine that is perfect for those who enjoy a sweeter taste profile.
What Does It Taste Like?
ON THE NOSE
- Stone fruits, like peaches and apricots
- Floral notes like honeysuckle and jasmine
ON THE PALATE
- Sweet, balanced with fresh acidity.
- Stone fruits, like sweet peaches and apricots
- Hints of citrus fruits, lemon and lime
Pros & Cons
WHAT I LOVED:
- Bright fruitiness
- Budget friendly option, making it perfect to have on hand
- Let’s face it, the blue is cool
JUST A HEADS-UP
- This wine is sweet, so it may not be for those who prefer less sweet Rieslings