
Have you ever tried a Riesling? Chances are you haven’t, but that’s not your fault. Riesling isn’t really that popular, so you’ll be hard-pressed to find one on any menu. And there’s a reason for that. Riesling is one of the wines that got a bad reputation in the ‘70s as Americans began to explore the world of wine. Riesling had the reputation of being an extremely syrupy and sugary wine. Labels churned out bottles of the overly sweet Blue Nun style of Riesling, which literally gave people a headache after consumption. This banished it to the low end of the wine counter alongside the Riunite, Night Train, and Manischewitz.
But a true German-style Riesling is actually a delicious wine to enjoy. You can spot a Riesling anywhere by the tall and slender bottle it traditionally comes in. I tasted my first Riesling at Firestone Winery in Santa Ynez in the late ‘90s. Yes, these are the same guys who make the tires, and now beer as well! I was impressed with the wine; it had a crisp green apple nuance to it and achieved a secondary fermentation inside the bottle, which gave it a bit of champagne fizz! I had never tasted a Riesling before, so I had no prejudice to obstruct my opinion. The Firestone Riesling had a freshly mown hay nose mixed with a hint of honey that really complemented the rustic and rural setting of the winery.
Make no mistake – Riesling is a sweet wine, which means many wine drinkers rarely consider ordering a glass. But good Rieslings, especially the German ones from the Mosel region, keep a reign on the sugar and offer a crisp and spicy glass of goodness. Some people may think that they don’t like wine at all. That is because they cannot stomach the dry and tannic nature that many wine lovers gravitate towards. If that’s the case with you, then maybe you should give Riesling a shot. It’s almost like an alcoholic version of sparkling cider. The same thing that drives away wine snobs may just be the thing you are looking for!
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