Did you know there are just three days to sip German Riesling this month? Most likely not, unless you’re in the trade and are already aware that July has been called the 31 days of German Riesling. Do you really want to consume Riesling wine – or even any wine for 31 days?
What’s the purpose? What’s the reason? Well, the way in which the way these promotions function is as follows: generic bodies help independent retailers to market their wines at certain times of the year. That, in light of the present tough times (particularly due to the increase in duty scheduled for August), is good for independents. This is usually the case when wines are difficult to convince consumers to buy, and therefore, you will not get a champagne month, for instance. However, the riesling variety, particularly German wineries such as German (pronounced reece-ling, not rice-ling, in case you were wondering), is, for the longest time, an extremely difficult sell.
In actual fact, drinking Riesling isn’t an unwise choice during this time of year. It’s fruity, light, and low in alcohol. However, its German wine is a mystery to many people in the UK who enjoy it with a lot of enthusiasm. It’s because it’s not a popular holiday destination for British people as there aren’t any German establishments in this country where you could get a taste of the wines. Also, German rieslings tend to be off-dry, even when the label reads “trocken,” which puts many people off, although many consume more sugar than they would like to admit. If you’re not aware, German Riesling has changed. Check out the ABVs that are higher than 11 percent, or 12%, than the previous 8 9 percent, which means that more sugar has been being fermented. Yes, this is true even for very low-alcohol Mosel rieslings.
Indeed, German Riesling doesn’t have to be the sole option for a more dry-style look at Alsace as well as Austria. The Wine Society’s label Austrian wine, Riesling (see my selection below), has just won a gold medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards and, priced at less than PS10, is an incredible bargain (the Society is planning on selling a lot of its prices during August in the meantime). Australia generally offers more lime-like Riesling, whereas New Zealand’s wines tend to have more tropical fruits. Naked Wines, with which I’ve been a bit of a problem due to its ambiguous “market price” comparisons, actually has a great wine, Dom Maxwell The Crush Riesling 2022 (12 percent). The wine is which comes from the Waipara Valley. Its price at PS10.49 for the so-called Angels is a fantastic value, while at PS14.99 for those of us who don’t have it is still affordable.
I also suggest tasting a higher-end riesling, at the very least. I was stunned by the quality and value of wines I tasted from the PS20-24 bracket. And there’s not anything like champagne at that price.
Five rieslings you can enjoy this summer
Morrisons the Top German Riesling 2020 PS8.50 (25% off when you buy three), 12.5%. Atypically limey but delicious Pfalz Riesling, that’s more than the Aussie one. Try it with Thai food.
The Society’s Austrian Riesling 2022 PS9.95 The Wine Society, 12%. Bright, crisp, and not too aromatic, this wine will please skeptics. Drink it with seafood and salads.
Dr Pauly Bergweiler Riesling Trocken 2021 PS12.99 (or PS11.69 if you buy 12) Cambridge Wine Merchants, 11%. Crisp, crisp, crunchy, appley Riesling. This would be a fantastic summer cocktail with some goat’s cheese toast. Dry for a Mosel.
Weingut Leitz Magic Mountain Rudesheimer Riesling Trocken 2021/22 PS24 Great Wine Co, 12.5%. The price is high, but the taste is delicious. Rheingau Riesling is bursting with tropical fruit. One for sauvignon blanc lovers. It’s a great match with Thai dishes or any other Asian-style pork dishes.
Mayfield Vineyard Backyard Riesling 2022 PS22 Great Wine Co, 11.5%. New South Wales is not the most popular place to look for Aussie Riesling (that’d be in the Eden or Clare valleys); however, I truly am in love with this delicate, fresh, and crisp wine. It’s perfect with seafood, specifically oysters.