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Riesling

Aromatic white, dry to sweet

Riesling: taste & food pairing

Say it: REES-ling

Electric acidity with lime, peach and honey: dry or sweet. Off-dry Riesling is the best wine on earth for spicy Asian food.

BodyLightFull
SweetnessDrySweet
AciditySoftCrisp
TanninSmoothGrippy
AlcoholLowHigh
Tastes likelime, green apple, peach, honey, petrol (with age)
Alcohol8-13%
Serve at45-50°F (7-10°C)
GlassWhite wine glass
Decant?No
What to payFrom $12

Riesling is many sommeliers’ favorite white. It’s intensely aromatic, has razor-sharp acidity and ranges from bone-dry to lusciously sweet. That acidity keeps even sweet styles refreshing.

Best food with Riesling

Spicy & AsianThai food Riesling · Sauvignon Blanc · Gewürztraminer Spicy & AsianIndian curry Riesling · Gewürztraminer · Viognier Spicy & AsianChinese food Riesling · Pinot Noir · Chenin Blanc SeafoodSushi Riesling · Champagne · Grüner Veltliner MeatHam Riesling · Pinot Noir · Gamay (Beaujolais) MeatPork Pinot Noir · Riesling · Chenin Blanc

How to tell if it’s sweet

  • Trocken (German) or “dry” on the label = dry.
  • Kabinett = light, often off-dry.
  • Spätlese / Auslese = progressively riper and sweeter.
  • Low alcohol (8-10%) usually means some sweetness is left.
  • Many US and Australian bottles carry a sweetness scale on the back.

Why it loves spicy food

A touch of sweetness calms chili heat, and high acidity cuts through rich sauces. Off-dry Riesling with Thai green curry or Szechuan dishes is a revelation.

Buying tips

German Kabinett from the Mosel, dry Riesling from Australia’s Clare Valley, and New York’s Finger Lakes are all excellent value.

Where it’s grown

Germany (Mosel, Rheingau) Alsace Austria Finger Lakes Clare & Eden Valley (Australia)

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If you like Riesling, try…

Aromatic, rich whiteGewürztraminer lychee · rose petal · ginger · grapefruit · sweet spice Medium white, dry to sweetChenin Blanc quince · yellow apple · honey · chamomile · lanolin Light-to-medium crisp whiteGrüner Veltliner lime · green apple · white pepper · celery · radish Sweet, lightly sparkling whiteMoscato peach · orange blossom · grape · honeysuckle · mandarin