German Rieslings are, to put it bluntly, misunderstood wines. German winemakers will tell you that Riesling is their country's flagship wine and that the Riesling grape works perfectly with the cooler climates and slaty soils of German river valleys. If, however, you ask a group of non-German wine drinkers to tell you about Riesling, several of them will probably use phrases like "too sweet" and "doesn't pair well" in their descriptions. In my opinion, they are missing out on one of the world's great wines.
I fell in love with Riesling early on, during a trip to Germany's western wine regions. There's nothing quite like sitting near a fireplace, enjoying a perfectly-chilled glass of dry ("trocken") Riesling before sharing a meal with friends. Riesling works wonderfully with German food – also underrated – of course, but I've discovered over time that I enjoy it with many other cuisines as well. Best of all, it's a year-round wine, one to enjoy on crisp fall evenings or during a summer celebration.
But don't take my word for it. IntoWine.com asked some German wine experts to recommend good-value Rieslings. Here's what they had to say:
Find Monchof Urzig Wurzgarten KabinettI actually have two favorites, both representing two different paths of German Riesling. The first is the 2007 Monchhof Urzig Wurzgarten Kabinett from the Mosel. The 2007 vintage was a classic vintage for Kabinett level wines in Germany. The best wines are complete and utterly charming. This wine represents the perfect marriage of a great vineyard site for Kabinett Riesling, conscientious winemaking and great value. We sell this profoundly satisfying wine for $18.99.
The second wine is a trocken (dry) Riesling from Weingut Winter in the Rheinhessen. There is a great deal of energy in the Rheinhessen these days. There are many young vintners who have come to the wine world with a new dedication and commitment to high quality. Trocken wines are all the rage in Germany and they are beginning to make their way to the U.S. The danger inherent in trocken Riesling is, if you miss getting the balance right, the wines can be painful to drink. The Weingut Winter 2007 Kalkstein Dittelsheimer trocken from the Rheinhessen is a great example of "getting it right." Artful balance, great minerality with floral and exotic fruit notes make for a wild ride. We sell this wine for $19.99. Two wonderful choices, both under $20.00, representing the "classic" and the "modern" styles of today's German Riesling. – Mike Greene, Senior Wine Consultant, Woodland Hills Wine Company, Woodland Hills, CA
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Find Gunderloch Riesling Kabinett "Jean Baptiste"The wine I would recommend is the 2007 Gunderloch Riesling Kabinett "Jean Baptiste" from the Rheinhessen region. This wine sells for $15.99-$17.99. This is a Riesling which is not too sweet and not too dry, making this wine a perfect "food chameleon." "Jean Baptiste" is an excellent choice for a large spectrum of food styles, such as spicy Asian dishes, white meat and fish preparations, salads and pastas. The wine's nose shows bright aromas of juicy peach, pear, raspberry and lime with a sprinkling of dried herbs. On the palate one finds grapefruit, tangerine, lime and white pepper...well-proportioned with a long mineral texture finishing with citrus tones. For those who still think Rieslings are "too sweet," think again and try a Riesling such as this "off-dry" style Riesling from Gunderloch, by itself or with your favorite dish. Chances are you will not be disappointed! – Jeff Marazoni, Operations Manager, Rudi Wiest Selections, San Marcos, CA
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Find Dillman RieslingThe wine world is full of little ironies, and current pairing trends for Rieslings are a great example. We have shifted away from archetypal central-European fare (braised meats, dumplings, potatoes, bratwurst, etc.), tending now towards somewhat more nouvelle cuisine: Asian, fusion, and, in particular, sushi. The Dillmann Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling Kabinett 2006 ($12.98) has a charmingly open bouquet of stone fruit and tart pear and is remarkably dry for a Kabinett, with only 7.5% alcohol. Elegant and refreshing, it will beautifully accompany bright or spicy foods. One suggestion: poached trout with fresh sweet bell pepper salsa. Imagine sweet red, orange and yellow peppers with maybe a poblano for a touch of heat, finished with a fresh chives and a dash of white balsamic vinegar. – Chris Freeze, Wine Director, 21st Amendment, Indianapolis, IN
Dramatic. Historic. Traditional. Cutting-edge. All of these terms describe Germany’s Mosel-Saar-Ruwer wine region, often called “Moselle” in English-language guidebooks. Mosel wines are uniquely German and internationally acclaimed. Perhaps more than any other German wines, Mosel wines truly reflect their terroirs .
I tend to taste and drink a lot of wine over the course of a year. I am in a few tasting groups, sometimes the wines are consumed at various local wine store tastings and a number drunk with friends and family.
The dog days of summer are once again upon us. Whether your remedy to beat the heat is a cool pool, a shade tree, or a blasting air conditioner, it always helps to have a relaxing beverage to help ease the pain. IntoWine.com asked our panel of wine experts to recommend refreshing white wines for those hot summer nights: " On a hot summer evening, I look for a chilled white wine. I also find that if the wine has a bit of sweetness, it offsets the heat a bit. My go-to wines on these evenings tend to be Rieslings. Rieslings are one of the most versatile wines for matching with food. They are especially great with light summer fare such as a salad or fish or fruit. They also make easy sipping on their own.
Wines to Go Buy This Week: Crisp and Refreshing Summer White Wines by Broadbent, Dr. Loosen, and Spy Valley The dog days of August are upon us and we have but a few weeks remaining before hot summer nights give way to crisp autumn leaves. This summer has been brutally hot for most of the US -though not too bad here in San Francisco, though September tends to be our hot month, if "hot" and "San Francisco" can actually be used in the same sentence- and I've had the great pleasure of discovering some fantastic white wines that are both tasty and refreshing for those hot nights. So before summer ends, here are three white wines to go buy this week : Broadbent Vinho Verde - Vinho Verde is a staple of Portuguese culture. Translated it means "Green Wine" which refers to its youthful freshness. It's a low-alcohol, light, crisp, and slightly effervescent wine that is about as close to perfection as a summer wine can be. Broadbent makes a fantastic Vinho Verde and at about $9 a bottle, it's worth buying a case to serve at your Labor Day picnic. Your guests will love it. About $9. Buy Broadbent Vinho Verde
Wow. This bottle is probably still on the retail shelves for under $25. It is amazing. Everyone at the table was oohing and ahhing over it. And it has decades of life left if you can keep your hands off. Light golden in color. The nose is awesome. Pineapple, minerals, slight peach and what I thought was thyme (?). On the palate, this is slightly sweet. Amazing energy. Wonderful texture; slightly oily slightly sinewy with juicy acidity. Long finish. Served with fried pickles stuffed with pub cheese and chiplote mayo (a very difficult match) this handled it in stride and was aweso
