Your Party Planning Checklist: Must-Have German Riesling

Organizing a party is a snap when you have a plan that works. Guest list? Of course. Theme? Check. Table décor? Naturally! Menu? Sure, but flexibility is paramount. Craft brews and signature cocktail? Duh. Wine selections? Ooooh, that’s a tough one.

Yeah, I thought so. Invited to every party are guests with a variety of wine preferences. A few of your white wine lovers may detest unoaked Chardonnay but crave sweet Moscato, the group of red wine aficionados may only drink heavy Napa Cabernets or lighter Sangiovese from Tuscany, and the crowd of rosé fans may drink only those from Provence. To appease them all, I’m sure you have a bottle or two of the aforementioned choices, right? But wait. There is one unexpected variety that may please every guest: German Riesling.

Your party-goers won’t be the only people clinking their glasses of Riesling with delight – you’ll be just as thrilled. Rieslings from Germany are wallet friendly (the party budget will remain intact), have an alcohol content that’s lower than many wines (responsible drinking for the win), demonstrate the ability to age for years (if there are any unopened bottles), and will pair with a variety of foods thanks to a range of styles. Suddenly your celebration just got better!

One of the many alluring characteristics of this noble grape, Riesling, is that it can be found in styles ranging from dry to sweet, due to its ability to ripen late and grow in a variety of climates. A lovely Riesling may exude flavors of lime, green apple, orange, jasmine, and petrol. This variety doesn’t benefit from malolactic fermentation or oak ageing and can be kept up to ten years. Curious as to food pairings? Complement a sweet Riesling with any Asian food such as spicy Thai or sushi, Southwestern fare (tacos!), or your favorite pulled pork sandwich. A bone-dry style will complement chicken piccata, halibut stew, or fresh seafood. For more detailed information about Riesling, click here.

Recently, I was sent (as samples by Winesellers, Ltd.) six German Rieslings for tasting and review. As I swirled and sipped wines representing a different style and three regions, I discovered in each a party-ready palate profile that complemented good friends, conversation, and a bounty of crowd-pleasing dishes (be sure to follow the links to the recipes).

About the Mosel Valley

The Mosel Valley is framed by river banks that rise so dramatically that they are considered among the steepest in the world. In fact, some are planted at a 70-degree angle! Although each wine is unique, shared characteristics include aromas of a newly blossomed spring garden, fruit forward acidity, and a body that is light.

Cultivated from sustainable vineyards in the Mosel Valley, Dr. H. Thanisch Feinherb Riesling QbA 2017 ($14) exuded notes of bright citrus, stone fruit, lime, lemon, touch of salted caramel, and a hint of spice on the finish. A platter of German cheeses and sausages will be a luscious pairing.

I found balance and beauty in the Dr. Thanisch Riesling Spätlese Trocken 2015 ($30).  My palate was in Riesling heaven as it burst with notes of ripe fruit, minerality, and petrol then submitted to a lingering, ever-so-satisfying finish. Complement each sip with your favorite recipe for savory lobster rolls, sautéed scallops, smoked meats, or even a BLT dip with crackers. (For more about Dr. H. Thanisch wines and my interview with owner Barbara Rundquist-Muller, please click here.)

My pour of Bollig-Lehnert Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling Kabinett 2016 ($17) was pure and refreshing. Boasting bright aromatics, lively acidity, notes of currants, lychee, savory spice, granite, minerality, and dried sage on the finish, this wine presented the just-right amount of residual sugar to pair with homemade sushi rolls.

About Rheingau

Covering the landscape from east to west, the Rheingau region is generally flat, but gradually becomes rife with steep slopes. In the 18^th century, the wine growers were “credited for recognizing the value of harvesting the crop at various states of ripeness from which the Prädikat (superior quality) evolved”. The two dominant grape varieties are Riesling and Spätburgunder.

On the dry side is Dr. Nagler Rüdesheimer Berg Rottland Steinkaut Trocken Qualitätswein 2014 ($19). Ripe citrus aromas led to intense flavors of spice, smoke, minerality, lemons, and lime and a zesty, lingering finish. This snappy wine is absolutely delicious paired with my favorite recipe for fish tacos.

About the Rheinhessen

This region of rolling hills, Rheinhessen, is the largest in Germany. A variety of agriculture, not only grapevines, are farmed thanks to a varied soil selection and favorable climate. In general, elegance, depth, and complexity are just a few descriptors of the area’s wines that are medium-bodied, soft, aromatic, and approachable.

Oppenheimer Riesling Kabinett 2016 ($13) was flavorful and replete with vibrant acidity, stone fruit, lemons, limes, and subtle notes of herbs. Complement a party-size portion of slow cooker spicy chicken curry with generous pours of this delicious wine.

Niersteiner Riesling vom Kalk Kabinett Trocken 2015 ($17) was an elegant example of the region. Bright acidity and flavors of lemon, pineapple, and thyme provided a lovely accompaniment to my latest recipe find: ham and gruyere French toast sandwiches (this just may be the pairing of the party).

With chilled bottles of German Riesling to please everyone’s palate, consider your party planning complete!

Cheers! ~ Cindy

For more about Riesling and exceptional food pairings, please check out the following articles by my colleagues.

• Camilla of Culinary Adventures with Camilla tempts us with “Feasting for Sankt Nikolaus Tag: German Sips, Schweineschnitzel, Spätzle, and Sauerkraut”
• Kat from Bacchus Travel & Tours shares “A German Holiday Celebration #winePW”
• Sarah from Curious Cuisinière pairs “Chicken Schnitzel and German Riesling”
• Deanna of Asian Test Kitchen discusses “German Riesling: The Default Asian Food Pairing #winePW”
• Jade of TastingPour tempts us with “Coq Au Riesling #winePW”
• Jeff from FoodWineClick discusses “50 Shades of Kabinett Riesling”
• Michelle of Rockin Red shares “German Wines: Expect The Unexpected #WinePW”
• Jill from L’Occasion will “Outfit Your Holiday Table With German Wines”
• Jane from Always Ravenous shares “Food Pairings with German Riesling #winepw”
• David of Cooking Chat prepares “Chicken Sausage and Veggie Bowl with German Riesling”
• Gwendolyn from wine predator enjoys “German Riesling and Fun Fondue With Friends for #WinePW”
• Rupal from Journeys of A Syrah Queen shares “Rieslings For The Holidays”
• Wendy from A Day in the Life on the Farm is “Celebrating St. Nicholas Day”
• Jennifer of Vino Travels – An Italian Wine Blog shares “Everyday Pairings with German Riesling”
• Nancy at Pull That Cork shares “Two Styles of German Wine and a Meal for Both #winePW”