Riesling wines generate smiles
Do you know what a riesling wine is? Have you ever tried one? GOTCHA! OK, to those readers who know what a riesling is and have tried one, we apologize. To those who fall into the first category: GOTCHA; you don't know what you have missed.
Riesling is an old grape variety, a very old grape variety. DNA testing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA_fingerprinting) has indicated that one parent of Riesling is Gouais Blanc (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gouais_Blanc), a vine most probably brought to Germany by the Roman Legions, while the other parent is a cross between an indigenous wild vine and the Traminer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traminer). They met, they married and riesling was born.
German wines made from the riesling grape run the gamut of sweetness from almost totally dry to incredibly sweet with each sweetness plateau accompanied by a lip-twisting German name. Riesling wines made in other parts of the world are usually on the moderately sweet side with high fruit acid and a lot of fruit. The grape also has an affinity to become infected by a sugar concentrating fungus that often adds body and an apricot tone to the wine. Whatever style or country of origin, riesling wines are the original "happy wines" and can bring a smile to the face of the most dour of persons.
- 3 Blind Moose 2007 Columbia Valley Riesling ($8.99) is a fruity, off dry white wine made in the old German tradition. It has the signature apricot and raisin flavor of all wines made from the riesling grape. The usually high fruit acid level, common to the variety, is purposely held in check so the flavor of the fruit predominates. It is a grand wine to accompany caesar salads and is a great replacement for the usual white wines.
- Saint M Riesling 2006 ($11.99) This German import is an elegant, refreshing wine with pure, crisp, ripe fruit flavors. It is crafted in a medium-dry style with lower alcohol and lively acidity. In the multi-layered German classification system, this wine is rated as a Qualitätswein (quality wine) and is a cut above the more common tafelwein or table wine.
- Hogue Late Harvest 2007 White Riesling ($8.99). The grapes for this wine were left on the vine a bit longer to increase and concentrate the sugars and take advantage of that sugar concentrating mold. The color of this wine is a bright and shimmering golden yellow and the intense aroma reflects peaches with hints of apricot and a background of citrus. It is perfect to accompany modern American dishes as well as Asian foods. Our suggestion: Try it with sushi.
- Schmitt Sohne 2007 Relax Riesling ($9.99). Relax Riesling is fermented slightly dry in the neo-German style by the famed vintner Schmitt Sohne. The grapes for this wine come from the Mosel River area, the heart of the German wine grape growing district, and display the fruity bouquet and intense flavors of apples and peaches with just a hint of citrus that the area is famous for. Natural acidity gives it a perfect balance. It is the perfect party wine, or can be enjoyed with a variety of foods -- seafood, poultry, oriental foods or fresh salads.
- Pacific Rim 2007 Wallula Vineyard Riesling ($21.99) is a dynamic wine that accentuates all the fruit flavors the riesling grape can deliver without being sweet. This dry gem allows flavors often masked by fruit sugar to shine through. This wine shows some apricot and pineapple. It is very fresh and lively with great acidity and some apple fruit and nutmeg notes. According to Pacific Rim Vineyards, it is the ultimate wine to accompany crab dishes as well as lighter meat dishes such as pork.