Where is the Best American Riesling Wine From?

Riesling is a very popular white wine in Europe, but slowly, its demand in North America is increasing. One of the reasons why American Riesling did not gain rapid popularity is because most people believed it was just another sweet wine from Germany, but nothing could be further from the truth. There is no question that some varieties of Riesling are sweet, but the wine is also available as semi-dry and dry. In fact, much of the Riesling produced in America is of the dry variety. Regardless of its type, Riesling is an excellent, refreshing, juicy wine that is versatile and pairs well with most foods.

WHERE IS AMERICAN RIESLING PRODUCED?

The Riesling grape was first introduced to North America in the late 19th century by new German immigrants. Initially, these immigrants settled in New York, which led to the production of Riesling in the Finger Lakes Region. With time, the immigrants moved to Michigan, California, Oregon, and Washington, where the Riesling grape now thrives. In fact, the Riesling produced in Washington State rivals the best quality Riesling from Germany, Austria, Australia, and South Africa.

The Diversity of American Riesling

While Washington remains the top producer of American Riesling, it’s also produced in Oregon and California. American Riesling can be dry or sweet or a bit of everything in between. For consumers, the way to tell what type of Riesling you are drinking is to note the amount of residual sugar as it is stated on the label. If the residual sugar level is less than 10g/l, the wine will be dry, but if the level of residual sugar is more than 30g/l, the Riesling will be sweet. Sometimes the label may not reveal the residual sugar level; instead, it may say dry, medium-dry, or sweet.

Washington: A Prominent Producer of Riesling

Even though Riesling had a late start in Washington, the region is known to produce some of the best Riesling in the world, often competing with Chardonnay for the best white wine in the USA. Much of the Riesling in Washington grows in the Columbia Valley, including Ancient Lakes, Yakima Valley, and Lake Chelan, which are well known for the fruity version. Elsewhere in the state, the dry Riesling has spicy and aromatic flavors with well-balanced acidity. The reason why Washington excels at producing great quality Riesling is not only because of the ideal climate but also a favorable landscape and soil conditions that allow the Riesling grape to thrive.

The Favorable Conditions of the Columbia Valley

In addition, the Columbia Valley is bestowed with long, dry summer days and cool nighttime temperatures, which permit the Riesling grapes to acquire a broad range of fruity flavors combined with exotic aromas and just the right balance of acidity. Another part of the country which also makes good quality Riesling is the Finger Lakes region, which also has climate and soil conditions similar to Washington.

Riesling in the Finger Lakes Region

In addition to the Pacific Northwest, the Finger Lakes regions are known to produce medium-dry to dry Riesling wines with delicate flavors and hints of peach, citrus, orange, and apricot with a mild tinge of aromatic spices. Because of the varying diversity in the

soil and landscape in America, this permits a broad range of wine styles. Overall, the Riesling produced in America tends to be more refined, slightly more acidic, and more delicate compared to those produced in Europe.

Finally, American Riesling is very affordable and easy to drink. The only way to know if there is a Riesling for you is to purchase a bottle and let your taste buds make the decision.

Some Riesling Wines to Consider

2021 SWEET RIESLING
2021 DRY RIESLING
2018 VIN DE GLACIÈRE RIESLING

 

What Does Riesling Taste Like?

When people hear ‘Riesling’, they may immediately think of sweet wine. While there are many sweet Rieslings, this wine can also range from sweet to bone dry and everything in between. What does Riesling taste like? Riesling is considered to be a refreshingly delicious aromatic white wine that is native to the Rhine region in Germany. Today, Riesling is produced in many places, including Washington State, and it still boasts the crisp flavors of a wide range of orchard fruits, along with a high level of acidity. It is one of the few white wines that can age gracefully for many years and still retain its quality.

WHAT DOES RIESLING WINE TASTE LIKE?

The Aroma

Before you taste even a drop of Riesling on your tongue, the experience begins with the aroma while it is still in the glass. While the aroma depends on where the Riesling is from, in general, all Rieslings will have an aroma of orchard fruits, like apples, pears, nectarine, apricots, or peaches. Some may also include softer, lighter scents of lime and jasmine. But along with the lighter scents, the older Riesling may also have a more obvious aroma of petroleum wax or petrol, which can be a plus or a negative, depending on your preferences.

Riesling Taste

What does Riesling taste like? When it comes to the taste of Riesling, one of the first noticeable things is the high level of acidity comparable to what is found in citrus fruits, like tangerines and oranges. However, the younger Riesling produced from unripe grapes will have notes like lemon, lime, or green apples, as well as hints of jasmine and chamomile.

Riesling, which is produced from ripe grapes, is a rounder beverage with aromas of pears, peaches, apples, grapes, apricots, and oranges. The sweet Riesling will have a stronger taste of peaches and apricots, whereas the dry Riesling will have more intense notes of grapefruit and apples. Plus, it is not uncommon for the sweeter Riesling to acquire spicy aromas of ginger, cinnamon, and anise.

Is All Riesling Sweet?

The answer is no, not all Rieslings are sweet. What does Riesling wine taste like? In reality, the majority of Riesling wines produced globally are dry or off-dry. Even in Germany, where sweet Riesling was once the iconic beverage, the population now prefers the dry style of Riesling wine.

Alcohol Content

What may come as a surprise to many people is that Riesling, in general, is a low-alcohol wine, but the amount of alcohol can be higher when it is produced in warmer regions.

Overall, Riesling has a low ABV (alcohol-by-volume) that averages between 8-14 percent, but it really depends on the brand and the sweetness. The drier the Riesling, the higher the alcohol content.  Riesling from Oregon and Washington generally has a low ABV, which makes it a very pleasant wine to drink, even in large amounts.

Acidity

What does Riesling taste like? One of the key features of Riesling wine is its high acidity, which gives it a tart and crisp taste. It is this high acidity which allows the wine to slowly mature in a bottle without going sour.

Age of Wine

The taste of Riesling also depends on its age. What does Riesling wine taste like? The younger Riesling tends to express more fruity notes, but the character of the fruit depends on where it is grown. The fruity notes may include luscious stony fruits to sweet citrus fruits. In addition, it is not uncommon for the young Riesling to acquire aromas of flowers and spices like jasmine, honey, ginger, and beeswax.

Food Pairings

Riesling is one of the few white wines that can be easily paired with almost any food type, but it pairs exceptionally well with spicy cuisines like Indian, Tex-Mex, and Thai. Some of the best food pairings include cheese and charcuterie, and it also goes well with sweet dishes.

Final Note: What Does Riesling Taste Like?

If you really want to know the answer to ‘What does Riesling taste like?’, try some of our affordable, top-quality Riesling wines:

2021 SWEET RIESLING
2021 J RIESLING
2018 VIN DE GLACIÈRE RIESLING
2021 DRY RIESLING

 

Sweet Summer Sipping: Wines to Keep Cool

While most people have been waiting for warmer days to arrive, one negative to hot weather is the ability to keep cool outdoors. What many people may not know is that one way to keep cool and refreshed during summer is a nice cold glass of sweet summer wine. But just any ol’ wine will not do the trick. So, if you want to keep cool during the hot days of summer, here are some cool wine tips:

Wear light clothing

In order to maximize the cooling effects of the sweet summer wine, you also need to take some other measures, such as wearing light, bright clothes that tend to reflect light back. Wear a hat and use a shade or umbrella if you have one.

Choosing a sweet summer wine

If you want a cool wine, then go with a light wine, preferably a white wine like Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, or Sauvignon Blanc. These friendly light white wines have an alcohol level of less than 12.5 percent and are not too sweet but are refreshing with very pleasant flavors. Unfortunately, red wines are not as good for cooling the body as white wines unless you pick a very light red wine, such as Pinot Noir, Merlot, or Malbec.

Chill the wine

For cool wine, always chill the wine before drinking. This means placing it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours and taking it out 20 minutes before you are ready to drink it. Once the bottle is opened, make sure to have an ice bucket, as this will help maintain the freshness and coolness of the beverage. Avoid cooling the wine too much as it could result in a loss of flavor. In general, red wines should be served between 60-70 degrees, while white wines should be served between 44 to 55 degrees.

Unoaked wines

You preferably want to avoid oaked or aged wines as they tend to have high tannins and alcohol, a combination that often does not lead to cooling of the body. Hence, choose unoaked wines as they are usually young, light, and fresh.

Try sparkling wines

On a warm summer day, the one beverage that can cool you down and make you feel refreshed is sparkling wine. Sparkling wines are fizzy and bubbly because of the high levels of carbon dioxide. Sparkling wines may be made from red or white grapes and may be dry or sweet, depending on the winemaker. The great feature of sparkling wines is the pleasant icy fizziness with a broad range of fruit flavors. With just a few sips, you will develop a cooling sensation with the urge to drink more.

Finally, to keep your sweet summer wine cool, use the right buckets, and the right glassware. Stemmed glasses help keep the cool wine cooler longer because the glass surface does not come into contact with your warm hands.

Try Our Sweet Summer Wines Today!

Here are some great sweet summer wines for you to try this season:

2018 VIN DE GLACIÈRE RIESLING

This wine is made from grapes that have been frozen on the vine, which concentrates the sugars and flavors. The result is a sweet, crisp wine with notes of pear, honey, and jasmine.

2021 RAINSTORM PINOT NOIR ROSÉ

This rosé is made from Pinot Noir grapes that have been grown in the Pacific Northwest. The wine is light and refreshing with a hint of sweetness.

2016 HAHN HILL VINEYARD ICE WINE RIESLING

This ice wine is made from grapes that have been frozen on the vine, which concentrates the sugars and flavors. The result is a sweet, dessert wine with notes of apricot, peach, and honey.

2018 SPRING CREEK VINEYARD GRÜNER VELTLINER

This wine is made from Grüner Veltliner grapes that have been grown in Austria. The wine is dry and refreshing with notes of citrus, apple, and minerality.

How to Pronounce Riesling: English and German

Riesling is a floral white wine that contains all types of fruity flavors, depending on where it is produced. While the Riesling grape initially originated in the Rhine Region of Germany, other neighboring nations like France, Switzerland, and Austria also produce Riesling. A common feature of Riesling wines includes a light body, moderate to high acidity with a crisp taste, aromas of stone and citrus fruits, and a distinct gasoline smell-especially in aged wines. But how do you pronounce that name? It can be a mystery as to how to pronounce Riesling the correct way.

How to pronounce Riesling in German? While Riesling has been produced in Germany for many centuries, it was only introduced to America when immigrants arrived in the late 19th century. Despite being produced in mass quantities in Washington state, the Finger Lakes region in NY, Oregon, and Michigan, Riesling has only just started to become a popular beverage in the United States.

RIESLING: MISPRONOUNCED AND MISUNDERSTOOD

Two reasons why Riesling has been slow to catch on with the masses is because the wine is mispronounced and misunderstood. When it comes to pronunciation, there are several ways to say Riesling, including ‘Riss-ling,’ ‘Rice-ling,’ Reece-ling,’ ‘Rise-ling,’ ‘Roo-sling,’ and even ‘Reeze-leng.’ Because of the multiple pronunciation possibilities, wine consumers may shy away from ordering the beverage at restaurants for fear of sounding foolish or ignorant. The fact of the matter is that in most North American restaurants, all these pronunciations are widely understood and accepted. Plus, there is no other wine with a name similar to Riesling; hence, the consumer is unlikely to be served the wrong wine.

HOW TO PRONOUNCE RIESLING IN GERMAN

The German pronunciation of Riesling typically puts emphasis on the second vowel in the name (“e”) when two vowels are put consecutively together. Therefore, the German pronunciation equates to “reece-ling.”  Some English pronunciations might have it as “Roos-ling” or even “Riz-ling.”

But even if you are shy about the way you pronounce Riesling, today, in the era of smartphones, there are software programs that can readily translate the name of the wine for you, or you can even show the waiter a picture of the Riesling wine you want.

With the pronunciations out of the way, why is Riesling such a misunderstood wine? The key reason is that a significant amount of Riesling produced in Germany is sweet, and American wine drinkers shied away from sweetened beverages. But the fact of the matter is that Riesling comes in a broad range of styles that vary from sweet to bone dry and several types in between these two extremes. 

The Riesling Categories

Sweet Riesling: Most of the German Riesling does have some degree of sweetness (e.g., spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese), but the North American varieties tend to be on the dry side. 

Dry Riesling: Dry Riesling is usually produced in Austria, France, and Washington. The dry wine is prized for its quality and frequently sought after at restaurants (e.g., Kabinett)

Semi-Sweet Riesling: The semi-sweet Riesling is a well-balanced wine and is rapidly gaining popularity in the USA. Most of it is produced in Washington and the Finger Lakes regions.

Sparkling Riesling: This is a light, bubbly wine with a touch of sweetness that is refreshing and very easy to drink.

While trying to determine how to pronounce Riesling in English or how to pronounce Riesling in German, one thing is for certain: the best feature about Riesling is that it is a very versatile wine that can be paired with a wide variety of foods.  Some great quality Riesling wines include the following:

2021 SWEET RIESLING
2021 J RIESLING
2021 DRY RIESLING
2018 VIN DE GLACIÈRE RIESLING

 

Exploring the Outdoors: Mountain and Camping Wine

Exploring the outdoors and camping is a favorite pastime for many, especially during the seasons of summer and autumn. In 2018 alone (pre-Pandemic levels), nearly 42 million Americans headed outdoors for several days of camping and hiking. Today, many of these people also want to get a better dining experience by combining it with wine consumption. The two US states with very favorable outdoor venues for exploration and camping wine that invite thousands of tourists every summer and autumn are Oregon and Washington.

Exploring the Pacific Northwest: Camping and Wine

The northwest, with its long coastline and range of mountains, offers some of the most unique landscapes, beautiful scenery, and camping experiences in the nation. For the outdoor lover, the scenic views of the coastline and sea in the Pacific Northwest are some of the best on the planet. And that is not all; the interior landscapes of both Oregon and Washington offer premier hiking trails, rugged snow-capped mountains, lush greenery, and, yes, dozens of wineries. Better still, as you explore the states, you will come across many extremely friendly locals, and will no doubt be glad to help ensure you have a great time during your visit. How to keep wine cool without a fridge may be a good question to ask them!

Whether you stay at a 5-star hotel, a cabin, or get back to nature in a tent in one of the state parks, the outdoor experiences to be garnered in the Pacific Northwest should not be missed.

The best way to explore the Pacific NW is via a road trip. In a span of several days, you will be able to taste wine, watch whales, and, while sipping coffee during a leisurely morning, get a chance to see the stunning views of the state. All you will need is the proper attire, including waterproof clothing and boots, a camera, plenty of warm clothing, and a palette that thirsts for wine because no matter where you go in Washington, wine is readily available.

Ideas for Keeping Wine Cool

How can you keep wine cool while you are exploring the rugged outdoors and camping?  Ideas for how to keep wine cool without a fridge include: a cooler or an ice bucket, an insulated wine bag, a wine chiller bucket, or how about a nice, cool mountain spring (if you are so fortunate as to find one and camp near one)?  Watch that your wine doesn’t get carried off, though, by either a bear or another human passing by!

Ice bucket: Of course, you’ll need ice! That means you would have to get it at a camp convenience store and/or store it in a cooler. This would entirely depend on how far you are going to camp and how long you are going to be gone.

Insulated wine bag: These can help keep already cooled wine remain cool for a few hours.

Wine chiller bucket: These can, or not, use ice to help keep wine cool. If using a frozen ice pack, it can help keep the wine cooler longer.

Cool mountain spring: If you are so fortunate, these were the earliest days of refrigeration.  Pioneers used to keep milk and other foodstuffs cool by laying them under a cool mountain stream of water.

Gear Up for Your Camping Wine Adventure

For your camping wine adventure, be prepared! Take the right gear with you but do not go overboard with equipment because hiking can be a major event if you have to drag a heavy backpack. Only take essential items, like a weather-resistant tent, water, dried food, a warm blanket, sleeping bag, light, jackets to keep you warm, appropriate footwear, charcoal, fire starter, wood, phone charger, extra batteries, matches, utensils for cooking, personal care items (soap, sunscreen, toothpaste), paper sanitizers, garbage bags, first aid kit, and appropriate garments to wear during a hike, including a hat.  That does sound like a lot, doesn’t it?  Well, just practice common sense.

Choosing the Right Destinations

Both Oregon and Washington have plenty of wineries and campsites, but, at the same time, if you are planning a wine escapade, you need to know where to go. Many wineries do offer summer tours and wine-tasting sessions. You preferably want to be close to both destinations. Many campgrounds in Washington and Oregon are located in state and federal national parks, but you may have to book in advance, especially during summer. Plus, you want the campground to have basic amenities, like grills, showers, toilet facilities, and access to running water.

With the right preparation, the outdoors and camping wine can be an experience of a lifetime, but no matter where you go, always consider safety as your top priority.

Caution and Tips for Camping with Wine

Even though camping is fun and exciting, remember you need to check each campsite’s rules about alcohol. Many campgrounds have restrictions on alcohol/wine consumption, and, in fact, most state-run campgrounds totally block the consumption or possession of alcohol.

Some sites may allow wine or alcohol consumption in your RV or certain designated areas but do know the rules beforehand as the penalties for alcohol possession and consumption are not trivial. Even if alcohol is permitted at certain campgrounds, be respectful of others, limit the amount you drink, and always clean up your mess.

Consider Winery Tours

To avoid any legal issues with alcohol at campsites, book a tour with a winery. Not only do they offer wine-tasting events, but many also offer facilities where you can drink and dine on-site and enjoy the splendid views of the vineyards.

The Benefits of Outdoor Adventures

Finally, camping is not the only reason to spend time outdoors. The adventure can provide a significant boost for the mind and can nurture the spirit by entertaining creative thought processes. It can also provide a well-deserved time and space to enjoy some much-needed peace and quiet. Look into outdoor adventures and try some of the best camping wines for your next trip and learn measures of how to keep wine cool without a fridge for your future escape.

Click here to learn more about Pacific Rim and Company's wines.