How to Drink Riesling Without Embarrassing Yourself

Riesling originates from Germany. Riesling is a light-bodied white wine, typically on the sweeter side, which can have tasting notes that include citrus, honey, and ginger and has high acidity.

 

What is the best way to drink Riesling?

Since Riesling is a white wine, it is usually best served chilled. Riesling is best served between 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit if we want to get technical. Any temperature outside of that range may compromise the flavor of the wine. 

If you have left a bottle of Riesling in the fridge overnight, chances are it will be slightly too chilled. If that does happen, you can combat that by taking the bottle out of the refrigerator about 5-10 minutes before you plan on serving it. 

That gives the wine enough time to slightly come to room temperature while also not letting the wine get too warm before serving.

What should you avoid if you’re around seasoned Riesling drinkers?

Riesling is, luckily, one of those wines that you can’t really mess up. Due to the nature of Riesling, it is extremely versatile and pairs well with a lot of different foods, so you should not have to worry about maybe pairing it with the wrong dish and making that faux pas. 

Some important things to note would be Riesling’s origins, what it typically pairs well with, etc.

Below are a few of the many foods that Riesling pairs well with:

 

• Spicy foods
• Appetizers
• Middle Eastern cuisine 
• Salads

 

Another thing to note about Riesling, which may even impress seasoned drinkers, is that not all Rieslings are sweet. Riesling can range from dry to sweet to even sparkling.

It is also important to know which glass to use for which wine. Because Riesling is a white wine, it is important that the glass has a U-shape. 

The U-shape of the glass will help keep the wine cooler for longer, which is important for white wine instead of something like red wine. So try to avoid using a wine glass with a larger opening as those are more so used for red wines.

 

When should you drink Riesling?

Riesling is such a light and versatile wine that it can be enjoyed at any time. You could have a glass while relaxing by the pool, for lunch with your friends, or even enjoy a glass at dinner time. Because of the versatility of a Riesling, there is no “right way” to enjoy it. 

 

How much Riesling should you sip each time you drink?

Because of Riesling’s drinkable nature, it is easy to gulp down. However, Riesling should be enjoyed by taking light sips either in between bites or in between other sips.

Final Thoughts on Drinking Riesling

Riesling is one of the most famous vine varieties today. It is a historical wine type originating from the Rhine river valley in  Germany. 

The unique flavor of the Riesling grape allows it to create versatile wines, ranging from sweet to bitter, and combined with various aromas. 

One of the reasons this wine gained such popularity is that there are enough variations that can please everyone.