Whether you're a serious wine connoisseur or you've been known to drink your Chardonnay from a box, drinking a Riesling style wine is a delightful experience. This white grape discovery of the Germans dates as far back as the Romans and has had a recent popular following in the United States. A Riesling wine has distinct variations, different from any other white wine because of it's dry, floral combination.
Instructions
1. Look for the words Rhine, Johannesburg or Ice Wine when ordering a glass or bottle. If choosing a bottle in a store, you don't necessarily have to choose an aged variety. Riesling can be enjoyed when it is young.
2. Distinguish the unique taste of the Riesling by noting it's ability to relate the soil source in it's taste. Its taste has been described as toast with honey, floral, citrus, peachy and even a petrol element is present. Some varieties of the wine are on the sweeter side or medium dry.
3. Identify the Riesling brand by region. Australian Riesling is any sweet wine, but Riesling from California will be named as Gray or Emerald, Johannesburg, Sylvaner and Sonoma. German Rieslings are sometimes called Klingelberger and will be drier. Alsace specializes in a dry, graceful Riesling.
4. Eat fish entrees, chocolate desserts or exotic foods like Thai and Indian food with any Riesling. Fruit, mild cheeses and any cold fish like lox on bagel will pair well. Chicken dishes should be paired with Riesling based on the spice or sauce. Butter, lemon based or Jamaican spices work well.
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