Grape Lessons Riesling | The Elegant One

What is Riesling

Riesling is one of the world's best white wine grape and was first grown in Gemany in the 15th Century.  Given where Rielsing thrives best, it is easily understood that the hardy wood enables the vines to be very resistant to frost.  Riesling excels is the cooler climates, where it ripen slowly to perfection to either produce dry style Alcasian or German Rieslings all the way to Icewine.

Where to find Riesling

Riesling's home is in Germany along the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Nahe, Pfalz Rheinhessen and Rheingau to name a few. Beyond Germany, the Alsace produces stellar dry forward Rieslings from there famed "Selection de Grains Nobles" and Austria is growing and bottling some nice
Rieslings as well.

Dry Style Riesling: 
German bottlings | Kabinett or Trocken/Dry Labels
Alsace | Most Rieslings unless special mentions otherwise
Austria | Most bottlings labeled Riesling unless other notations are added to the label

Off dry to sweet:
German bottlings in order of sweetness:
Spaetlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese, Eiswein
Other countries - Late Harvest Riesling

How to pair Riesling

Riesling can be paired with lots of different foods, depending on its style.  The dry versions from the Alsace make it a great partner for most fish including shell-fish dishes as well as hearty dishes such as Sauerkraut and smoked ham.
Slightly sweeter style produced Rielsings are king when it comes to being paired with Asian inspired cuisines, especially when they have some spice to it.  The natural higher sugar levels and great balance of acidity and minerality make these wines a perfect match up. 
For the sweet tooth lovers, try some Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese and/or Icewine - All pair extremely well with desserts and mold cheeses such as Stilton from England.

Favorites?

Given that I am German, I certainly have my favorite Rieslings and to no surprise (I hope), they are from Germany, followed by the drier stylistic versions from the Alsace.

Weingut Robert Weil - Wines are imported by Dr. Loosen US Imports

I have lots of other German favorites such as from the Schweinhardt Estate in Nahe but most are not imported.

Gustave Lorenz - Great Alcasian Rielsings

Domaine Zind-Humbrecht