Green bottle with two half-filled glasses of Riesling on a wooden tabletop with alsatian vineyard in the background.

Discovery Series Explores the Versatility of Riesling

Riesling is one of the world’s most famous white varietals. It’s also a chameleon, available in multiple styles that suit multiple palates, pleasing dry white wine drinkers as well as those with a sweet tooth.

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Riesling: Aromatic and Flavorful

Riesling is one of the most aromatic white grape varietals.

Riesling’s beautifully pungent aromas are quite famous and vary greatly depending on winemaking techniques and terroir. Common aromas include apple, pear, nectarine, apricot, honeycomb, white flower, lemon and lime zest.

Riesling: Aromatic and Flavorful

Riesling can display unique aromas dependent on terroir.

Terroir is a wine’s “somewhereness” — the location, climate and type of soil in which the grapes were grown, and how these factors affect flavor and aroma. Riesling can display mineral, petrol-like aromas, and aficionados look for these tell-tale scents which may indicate place of origin or quality.

Riesling: Aromatic and Flavorful

Riesling can be dry or off-dry to medium-sweet or sweet.

Riesling is typically quite high in acidity, a desirable trait, but high acidity can be tempered by the winemaker if they choose to leave some residual sugar (RS) behind, or if they age the wine in neutral oak, cement, clay or other earthen vessels before bottling. Drier styles remain brightly tart.

Riesling: Aromatic and Flavorful

Riesling’s various flavors make it a perfect companion to food.

Riesling pairs with everything from wiener schnitzel to sushi. Sweet, sour and spicy flavors are deliciously amplified alongside rieslings of various dry or sweetness levels. Whether you prefer savory, fried foods or spicy Thai curries, or even fruity desserts, there’s a riesling for you!