Riesling Wine
IN THE BOTTLE
Riesling has very high natural acidity, making it bright and refreshing. Our Riesling comes from Washington state's Columbia Valley (the third largest Riesling producing region in the world). Very aromatic with notes of lime, green apple, honey, and white flowers like citrus blossoms. On the palate it is medium bodied and slightly sweet.
CLASSIC FLAVOR PROFILES OF VARIETAL
Riesling is a highly aromatic grape variety. The scents almost jump out of the glass! Very sweet versions of Riesling often have aromas of honey, ginger, and marmalade, but on the palate the natural acidity of Riesling will still shine. Dry versions of Riesling tend to have very ripe fruit, but without some sweetness to counteract the acidity, they can be a bit austere. In Germany it is common to make sparkling wine called "sekt" from Riesling. Riesling is seldom aged in new oak barrels, whose vanilla and baking spice notes would cover up Riesling's aromatic charm.
VARIETAL FACTS
Riesling thrives in cooler climates such as Germany, its historical home. Riesling is an incredibly tough vine, able to withstand very cold winters that would kill off less hardy vines. When combined with its resistance to many vine diseases, it has spread to many wine growing regions across the world. One of the most interesting is the Clare Valley in Australia, which produces dry Riesling with piercing acidity and a distinct candied lime note. An up-and-coming area is the Finger Lakes region of New York, which produces a tiny amount of wine, but whose quality is on par with the rest of the world.
HISTORY
Riesling is one of the oldest varieties from Germany, first mentioned in the 1400s in a document by monks purchasing Riesling vines to plant in their vineyards. Historically, the relationship between grape growing and monasteries was intertwined due sacramental wine production, and some of our most prized grapes (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling) have a long history of being nurtured by monasteries. Throughout the centuries, Riesling was prominent on the tables of the rich and wealthy. Legendarily, the most expensive wine on the Titanic's wine list was a German Riesling from the village of Nierstein.
DID YOU KNOW?
Riesling comes in a range of sweetness levels from dry to dessert. At Cooper's Hawk, our Riesling is considered off-dry, with just enough sweetness to take the edge off the grape's natural acidity. It is a versatile partner on the table, pairing well with the heat of a spicy Chinese dish or the range of flavors on a charcuterie board.
IF YOU LIKE THIS WINE, TRY:
Cooper's Hawk White, Gewürztraminer, Blanc de Blanc
Standard Bottle 750 ml
Please note: An adult signature is required for the final delivery of any wine shipment.
