Drinks

A simple case for Riesling

December 2023

German Rieslings evoke memories for some and questions for others. The most common question for many new to the wine world is: how do you pronounce it? As with all German words with the letters e and i located next to each other, you pronounce the second letter in the word — so it’s pronounced REESLING.

More examples of a dry style have arrived in our market over the last 10 years. That being said, many wine lovers still prefer the sweeter styles.

In fact, off-dry or sweeter styles of Riesling can come in handy when it comes to wine and food pairing. The ripeness and complexity of off-dry options can stand up to the complexity and aromatics found in dishes such as Pad Thai. The residual sugar in sweeter options tends to coat your tongue and cool down your palate when paired with spicy dishes.

For those who prefer dry wines, don’t let the classic German fluted bottle fool you. Australia in particular is known for stunning bone-dry Rieslings, which can go toe-to-toe against other excellent dry whites in the world. Canada, as well, has some outstanding examples.

When looking at the label, it can be intimidating but the simplest word you’ll need to learn if you prefer dry whites is trocken. Trocken means dry.

The simplest word you’ll need to learn if you prefer dry whites is trocken. Trocken means dry.

If you are seeking a dry Riesling and for some reason cannot see trocken on the label, or if you’re choosing a selection from Canada or another new world country, a good rule of thumb is to turn the bottle around and check the percentage of alcohol. The
higher the percentage, the drier the wine. While there are some exceptions to this rule, for the most part this will help you select a drier style of Riesling.

Naturally, there is always the fall back — ask your store’s wine expert!

Rieslings are a great variety to explore. This varietal offers a range of dry to very sweet. Because the options are endless, let the experimentation begin!

The simplest word you’ll need to learn if you prefer dry whites is trocken. Trocken means dry.