RIESLING RENDEZVOUS
At this year’s inaugural Riesling Rendezvous, wine producers and enthusiasts discussed consumer confusion surrounding Riesling, with many not knowing what to expect with each bottle. Hosted by Washington’s Chateau St. Michelle and Germany’s Dr. Loosen in Seattle, experts at the Riesling Rendezvous proposed a Riesling taste scale, which would offer a standardized method for depicting the relative dryness or sweetness level of the wine.
During the last three years, Riesling consumption in the United States has grown 54 percent, making it the fastest growing white wine in the country. This is a dramatic change from years past when most of the world didn’t know about this noble grape. With attention from the Riesling Rendezvous and a potential sweetness scale in the pipeline, Riesling will likely continue its growth in the coming years.
WINE TRENDS
The Rise of Riesling
With sales growth at 72 percent between 2003 and 2006, riesling growers and winemakers are having difficulty keeping pace with demand. Unlike in years past, Western winemakers are making rieslings drier than before, challenging those of Alsace, Germany and Austria. With good acidity and rich texture, bone-dry rieslings taste of delicate green apple, white peach and lime, while their barely off-dry counterparts resemble riper apricot, nectarine and mandarin orange. Arguably one of the most food-friendly wines in the world, rieslings pair well with shellfish, pork, ham, salads and vegetables, egg dishes, sausage and salami, barbecue, Asian dishes and southwestern foods.
