Best Riesling Wine Collection in Malaysia

For wine enthusiasts, a well-curated Riesling collection offers a journey through a world of exquisite flavours. But what exactly is Riesling, and why does it hold such a special place in the world of wine?

This white wine is cherished for its fruit-forward flavour profile and crisp acidity. It works as a stunning single-varietal and is rarely blended with other wines.

Aromatic, fruity, and fragrant—these are just a few of the words used to describe Riesling wine. Widely regarded as one of the top three white wines in the world, alongside Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, this white variety is also known for its varietal purity—it is rarely, if ever, oaked.

What is Riesling wine?

Riesling wine, originating from Germany’s Rhine Valley, is celebrated for its light-bodied nature, diverse sweetness levels, refreshing acidity, and rich aromatic qualities. This white wine boasts a stunning spectrum of colours, ranging from delicate pale tones to deep yellow-gold hues. Thriving in various climates worldwide, from the sunny slopes of Alsace to the fertile soils of Australia, each region contributes to its unique flavours.

Rieslings are rarely oaked, which highlights their crisp and vibrant flavours of apple, apricot, peach, and pear. With minimal tannins and no oak influence, they provide a smooth and approachable drinking experience, distinct from the drying sensation often found in red wines.

This white wine generally has an alcohol content between 8% and 12.5% ABV. Cooler regions like Germany often yield wines on the lower end of this range, whereas warmer climates like California may result in higher alcohol content. Moreover, Rieslings are known for their impressive ageing potential, transitioning from initial fruity notes to more intricate flavours as they mature.

What is special about Riesling wine?

Riesling’s special character comes from its incredible versatility and pure flavours. It offers a wide range of styles, from bone-dry to richly sweet, making it a preferred choice for food pairings because of its pronounced fruitiness and high acidity.

Additionally, Riesling’s distinct flavour profile remains pure because it is seldom oaked. This allows its natural tastes of apple, apricot, peach, and pear to shine through without any masking. This purity also contributes to its ability to age gracefully.

With time, well-crafted Rieslings develop intriguing layers of complexity, often revealing smoky and honeyed notes. In aged bottles, particularly those from Germany, one may even detect hints of petrol or diesel, adding an unexpected yet delightful twist to its profile.

Is Riesling white wine sweet or dry?

Riesling white wine can be sweet or dry, depending on the style in which it is made. This versatility allows winemakers to produce Rieslings that cater to a wide variety of taste preferences.

Dry Rieslings are crisp and refreshing, typically highlighting the grape’s natural acidity, while sweeter Rieslings offer a rich, fruity palate that can balance spicier dishes or serve as dessert wines.

Riesling wine taste profile

What does Riesling taste like? This white wine stands apart from the crowd with its versatility, generally boasting a palate rich in:

• Fruity flavours: Common fruit flavours include apricot, nectarine, peach, apple, pear, pineapple, lime, and Meyer lemon.
• Secondary aromas: Beyond fruity flavours, this white wine has hints of jasmine, citrus blossom, ginger, honey, honeycomb, beeswax, petrol, diesel fuel and rubber.
• Aged flavours: With age, this white wine develops intriguing notes like petrol, diesel, and lanolin

Is Riesling a dessert wine?

Riesling can be a dessert wine, but not all Rieslings are made in this style. Sweeter styles, such as the GUNDERLOCH Riesling Kabinett Jean-Baptiste, late-harvest Rieslings, and those labelled “Auslese,” “Beerenauslese,” and “Trockenbeerenauslese,” typically have high residual sugar content.

These white wines are rich and luscious, making them excellent choices for pairing with desserts like fruit tarts, cheesecakes, or spicy foods that complement their sweetness. The intense flavours and sweetness of these Rieslings make them ideal for sipping as a dessert on their own or alongside dessert courses.

Serving tips

To fully appreciate the flavours in this white wine variety, follow these tips:

• Temperature: Aim for cooler temperatures, ideally 7-12°C.
• Glass: Using a Riesling-specific glass is ideal. It typically resembles a slightly taller white wine glass or universal glass. However, a universal or standard white wine glass will also work well.
• Decanting: Decanting is generally not necessary for this white wine, especially for the younger or fresher styles.

Riesling wine pairing

The wine’s balance of sweetness and acidity makes it a dream pairing for spicy cuisine. The sweetness cuts through the heat of strong Indian and Asian spices, creating a harmonious palate experience. Here are some ideas:

• Meat: Duck, pork, bacon, chicken, shrimp, and crab
• Cheese: brie, camembert, neufchatel, triple-creme cheeses,
• Spices and herbs:  cayenne pepper, madras curry, clove, cinnamon, ginger, shallots, marjoram, basil, rice vinegar, teriyaki sauce
• Plant-based pairing: Roasted vegetables like red onion, bell pepper, eggplant, carrot, squash. You can also pair it with coconut and tempeh.

What not to pair with Riesling?

Sweeter styles can clash with acidic foods. This combination might amplify the wine’s sweetness, making it a dessert-like experience that overshadows the food’s flavours.

On the other hand, avoid overly sweet dishes when enjoying a dry Riesling. The sweetness can overwhelm your palate, making the wine taste sharper or even vinegary.

Riesling wine vs Moscato: Which is better?

Though both are white wines, they offer distinct experiences. While both Riesling and Moscato are celebrated white wine options, they diverge significantly in terms of sweetness and ideal pairings, catering to different palates.

Moscato is light-bodied due to its lower alcohol content, while Riesling ranges from light-bodied to medium-bodied. Riesling white wine ranges from bone-dry to very sweet and complements spicy dishes. Meanwhile, Moscato is known for its sweetness and shines primarily as a dessert wine.

Riesling has exceptional ageing potential thanks to its high acidity, developing complex flavours over time. Meanwhile, Moscato is best enjoyed young to capture its fresh, fruity character.

Moscato’s sweetness is ideal for wine beginners. If you prefer a less sweet option, Riesling offers a range of styles, including drier varieties.

Savour the symphony of Riesling

Riesling is a versatile white wine known for its range of sweetness, refreshing acidity, and captivating flavours. It can be enjoyed dry or sweet, making it a great choice for both beginners and experienced wine drinkers. Additionally, this white wine ages exceptionally well, developing complex flavours over time.

Ready to explore the world of white wines? Discover a curated selection of Riesling wines at Whisky.my and embark on a flavourful journey.