Riesling has been a popular wine in Europe since at least the 19th Century. Its recent renaissance is due in part to labeling regulations across the globe that have ensured a bottle with Riesling on the label will feature this grape of German origin. For years the wine was thought of only in relation to sweeter whites that appealed to a very specific group, and was generally viewed with little respect. However, the emergence of crisp, clean varieties of the wine and the fact that between different terrior and blending it can express a wide range of flavors and bodies has contributed to its becoming one of the three most popular white wines in the world.

Many different people love their Riesling for many different reasons. Part of its appeal is that a good bottle can be purchased for a reasonable price. The way the grape was originally cultured and spread in Germany made it tenacious, and it thrives in many climates – though it is most commonly grown in colder regions. Similarly, because the grape produces wines with a high acidity level and one of many fruity aromas, it doesn’t need to be aged very long to be flavorful even when very young. This also contributes to making it an accessible wine. And this is only part of its appeal.

It is also called one of the best food wines in the world. First off, most Riesling have pure flavors without any oak because of the way the grape behaves when stores in oak casks. This contributes to it being very easy to pair with many dishes. Second, as most Rieslings have a high acidity, they offer a great contrast to rich, creamy, heavy, and even greasy foods. It can refresh the palette between bights of the strong-flavored food and help to balance out the experience. And people also appreciate the snappy, crisp flavor that this acidity contributes in and of itself. Thirdly, because it represents its terrior so strongly, many Rieslings have one or several fruity undertones. This is more common with sweeter bottles, and it offers the ability to easily pair it with any meal that has a sweet or fruity ingredient, as the similar flavors complement each other well.

The last thing that makes Riesling stand out is the wide range different forms it can take. Because it doesn’t have a very strong flavor but is usually light- to medium-bodies, it is an easy wine to get into for new wine drinkers. Yet it comes in dry or very-slightly off-dry, especially some of the Rieslings produced in Germany, as well as sweeter styles that can be produced almost anywhere simply because the grape will have such a high sugar content if left to fully or even over-ripen on the vine. Yet all of these varieties tend to maintain that crisp acidity as well as the clear undertones of the region where it is grown.

Between being affordable, available in a wide range different sweetness levels, having a manageable and enjoyable acidity level that makes it easy to pair with a variety of different foods, and being grown and produced by experts across the world, it’s no wonder this wine has become so popular.

Riesling Has Become Something of an International Phenomenon in the Past Few Years. Learn Why This Wine Has Come Up in the World and Enjoy It Yourself

Editor’s Note:

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You’ve picked the perfect salmon dish for dinner, and now it’s time to choose the perfect wine. While common convention may have you turning to the whites, the truth is reds and roses may work just as well, if not better! Matching food to wine is something of an art; however, even a novice can follow a few guidelines that will definitely improve their ability to appropriately pair a wine with a meal. The common rule is to use a milder white with a delicate or mildly flavored meat like fish, while reds will take over that kind of meal and are better with stronger dishes because they can easily stand up to bolder flavors. However, salmon falls out of the typical “white fish” category and therefore can be paired with a wide range of wines.

Salmon is an extremely versatile fish, which makes it an exceptionally accommodating wine companion. Depending on its preparation, salmon can be paired with a variety of wines, including champagne, chardonnay, and pinot noir. Unlike most foods, salmon can be matched to wine by texture as well as by its saucing. For instance, butter-based sauces are natural fits for big California Chardonnays or white Burgundy from Puligny and Meursault. A heavier acidic sauce such as those with a tomato base will lend itself well to a lighter red such as a Pinot Noir, Grenache, or Sangiovese. Or a sweeter sauce such as teriyaki or a fruit glaze could be paired with an off-dry white.

Salmon is a fatty fish with buttery and succulent flesh. As such many would argue that a lean, crisp sparkling wine will cleanse the fat from the palate; however, a rich yeasty and mature Champagne marries with salmon just as well. Because salmon can’t easily be overwhelmed, feel free to choose a rose, blanc de blancs or vintage brut. This is especially true with raw salmon, as in Japanese-style sashimi. If the fish is poached, choose an unoaked or lightly oaked chardonnay, such as Chablis. For grilled, pan-seared, or oven roasted salmon, it’s a toss-up between chardonnay and pinot noir.

While salmon will naturally work well with many wines, beware of exceedingly heavy reds as the large amount of tannis may react badly with the oils in the fish. Also avoid combining reds with spicy sauces as it may lead to a nasty metallic taste.

One basic guideline to live by in pairing food and wine: light foods go with light wines and heavy foods go with heavy wines. Master Sommelier Evan Goldstein compared food and wine pairing to two people having a conversation: “One must listen while the other speaks or the result is a muddle”. This means either the food or the wine will be the dominant focus of the pairing, with the other serving as a complement to enhance the enjoyment of the first. Ultimately the key to a successful food and wine pairing is experimentation, so if you’re still unsure about which wines sound best, pop open a bottle and get tasting. The most important rule of wine pairing: don’t worry too much about all the rules; just pour a glass of your favorite wine, and enjoy!

There Is No Wrong Wine to Pair with Salmon. It’s an Opportunity to Try Your Favorite Red Wine or White and Enjoy a Delicious Pairing. Try a New Bottle at an Online Wine Store Today.

Wine-for-Beginners Editor’s Note:
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