Riesling Wine Guide
Explore Riesling, the aristocratic white grape producing wines from bone-dry to lusciously sweet. Discover why sommeliers consider it the world's most versatile wine grape.
Characteristics
- High acidity that balances any sweetness
- Flavors of lime, green apple, peach, and petrol (with age)
- Light body with intense aromatics
- Exceptional aging potential across all sweetness levels
Key Regions
Food Pairings
- Spicy Asian cuisine
- Pork schnitzel
- Fresh fruit desserts
- Soft washed-rind cheeses
Serving Temperature
45-50°F (7-10°C)
The Sommeliers’ Favorite
Ask sommeliers about their favorite grape, and many will answer Riesling. This aristocratic variety produces wines across the entire sweetness spectrum while maintaining remarkable acidity and aging potential.
Understanding Riesling Sweetness
Riesling ranges from bone-dry to intensely sweet:
Dry (Trocken)
Crisp, citrus-driven, mineral
Off-Dry (Halbtrocken/Feinherb)
Hint of sweetness balanced by acidity
Medium Sweet (Spatlese, Kabinett)
Fruity with noticeable sweetness
Sweet (Auslese, Beerenauslese, TBA)
Dessert wines with honeyed intensity
Key insight: Riesling’s high acidity balances sweetness, so even sweet versions taste fresh rather than cloying.
Tasting Riesling
Young Wines
Lime, green apple, white flowers, slate/mineral
Aged Wines
The famous “petrol” note develops with age, along with honey, dried apricot, and marmalade.
World Regions
Germany
The heartland. Mosel produces delicate, low-alcohol wines; Rheingau offers richer expressions. Look for quality levels: Kabinett, Spatlese, Auslese.
Alsace, France
Typically dry, fuller-bodied Riesling with floral and stone fruit character.
Austria
Dry, mineral styles from Wachau and Kamptal.
Australia
Clare and Eden Valley produce distinctive lime-inflected dry Rieslings.
Food Pairings
Riesling’s acidity makes it extraordinarily food-friendly:
- Spicy Asian cuisine (Thai, Vietnamese)
- Pork schnitzel and sausages
- Shellfish and seafood
- Soft washed-rind cheeses
Discover Riesling with Sommo
Use Sommo to decode German wine labels, understand sweetness levels, and find Rieslings that match your taste.
