Roll Wine & Spirits
Spring's Perfect Match: Riesling
by Timothy Buzinski & Mei Ying So
...But vintners have been discovering pockets of cooler climates all over the world. Certainly, New Zealand would come to mind, but how about Australia? Surprisingly, Oz is a great source for dry, age-worthy rieslings that are a touch weightier than their European cousins. As for the U.S., you can find well made rieslings from Washington State, Oregon and even warmer California, but look to the Finger Lakes in our home state for consistent quality, variety and accessibility.
Dry or Sweet?
Varying styles and quality have led to confusion regarding the character of this complex grape. If you’re concerned about the sweetness level in riesling, try shopping at a good store with knowledgeable staff; they will have tasted most of their selections and can tell you about the general character of each wine. Otherwise, you can look at the alcohol percentage: 11 percent or higher will generally yield a dry-style wine, while those at 8-10 percent are a bit sweeter. And if you want German riesling and can’t decipher the wordy labels, try looking for these terms: trocken, halbtrocken or feinherb. The first indicates a bone-dry wine, while the latter two refer to noticeably dry wines with just a touch of sweetness balanced by good acidity.
Rieslings to Try
Gather a few friends, cook up a grilled ramp and asparagus frittata or gratin, serve with local cheeses and a multigrain loaf from Wild Hive Farm, and pop a few bottles. What style “ramps” up the flavors of spring for you?
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