Two Different but Equally Good Rieslings

When it comes to white wine Riesling is one of my favourite varietals. Riesling can be used to make anything from decadent dessert wine to a refreshingly crisp table wine. No matter what the style a common characteristic of good Rieslings is that they have great acidity. This acidity balances out the sugars in sweeter styles and makes most Riesling easy to pair with a wide range of foods.

I enjoy Riesling’s unique flavour and aroma, most often Rieslings will have a slight ‘petrol’ character which can also be described as slate or kerosene – this may sound unappealing but in moderation can be quite nice, honest. Other common elements are stone fruits (apricot, peach, etc.), fresh floral, citrus (grapefruit and lemon are quite common), green apples, pear, lychee, and a beeswax (which is a variation of ‘petrol’ character). It also has an uncanny ability to show terroir; if a Riesling has grown in soil heavy in mineral content you can smell and taste this quite easily (slate, flint, and petrol).

Here are two great Rieslings I had recently, made in different styles, but both showing why Riesling makes such great wine:

2003 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Auslese – Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler
This wine comes from the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer appellation in Germany which is famous for its superb Riesling. This wine is too easy to drink especially at a low alcohol content of 8%. It has lovely slate and mineral with grapefruit, apricot and green mango. It coats your mouth with richness yet its light at the same time. The sweetness is balanced the acidity which comes in midway and makes my mouth water. Great with spicy food or dessert it was quite flexible. It received a 94 from Wine Spectator, maybe a touch higher than I would give, but still great. $35.95 E-VG

2003 Riesling – Cardingham
From the other side of the world we have a dryer styled Riesling from Australia’s Clare Valley. It has a fresh and floral nose with crisp mineral character. Lime and Golden Delicious apple also tempt the senses (with the apple seeming more like Granny Smith on the palate). Lively and light with great acidity and a moderately lengthy finish. Silver Medal winner at the International Wine and Spirits competition in London, and a 93 from James Halliday, also a touch higher than I would give. $15.95 E-VG

The winner in the value department would definitely be the Cardingham, but both were fabulous. If you haven’t tried Riesling yet I hope I’ve at least tempted you.