Wine Explorer Subscription
Riesling is one of the world’s great white grape varieties, originally associated with Germany’s Rhein region. It is particularly valued for its ability to retain vibrant acidity while developing a wide range of flavours, from green apple, lime and lemon to peach, apricot, tropical fruit and honey.
What makes Riesling especially interesting is its range of styles. It can be bone-dry, lightly off-dry, or richly sweet and dessert-like. The variety’s naturally high acidity acts as a balancing force, allowing even very sweet wines to remain fresh rather than heavy.
The five wines in this month's Explorer subscription box demonstrate that range: from a dry Austrian Riesling, through crisp New Zealand and Finger Lakes examples, to the richer sweetness of German Spätlese and Auslese.
What makes Riesling especially interesting is its range of styles. It can be bone-dry, lightly off-dry, or richly sweet and dessert-like. The variety’s naturally high acidity acts as a balancing force, allowing even very sweet wines to remain fresh rather than heavy.
The five wines in this month's Explorer subscription box demonstrate that range: from a dry Austrian Riesling, through crisp New Zealand and Finger Lakes examples, to the richer sweetness of German Spätlese and Auslese.
Weingut Pfaffl The Dot Austrian Peach Riesling
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Origin: Weinviertel, Niederösterreich, Austria
Variety: "Riesling" (REES-ling) About the wine: This is a dry, fruit-forward Riesling with the ripe peach character suggested by its "Austrian Peach" name. The continental climate of Niederösterreich provides warm growing conditions while cool nights help preserve Riesling's naturally vibrant acidity. The wine shows ripe peach and apricot alongside citrus and a subtle mineral character. Cool temperature-controlled fermentation helps retain the grape's fresh, aromatic character. SERVED BEST AT: Cold (7 – 10 °C)
IDEAL PAIRINGS: Sushi, green salads, grilled fish WINE PROFILE: Peach, apricot, citrus, lime and subtle minerality; juicy, fruity and refreshing Recommended if you like: Dry, fruity white wines. |
Twelfth Night Riesling
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Origin: Central Otago, New Zealand
Variety: "Riesling" (REES-ling) About the wine: The grapes are sustainably grown in the Cromwell Basin of Central Otago, on New Zealand's South Island. The fruit is hand-harvested at low yields and whole bunches are gently pressed; fermentation takes place at controlled temperatures and the wine ages for five months on the lees (dead yeast cells). The wine retains a small amount of residual sugar while maintaining high acidity, creating a style that is fresh, aromatic, and just slightly rounded. Central Otago's cool nights combined with abundant sunshine help produce concentrated fruit while preserving Riesling's characteristic freshness. SERVED BEST AT: Cold (7 – 10 °C)
IDEAL PAIRINGS: Citrus-flavored scallops, roast pork, sushi WINE PROFILE: Melon, lime, white flowers, nectarine, grapefruit; clean, crisp, mineral finish Recommended if you like: Dry white wines |
Hillick & Hobbs Estate Riesling
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Origin: Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes, New York, USA
Variety: "Riesling" (REES-ling) About the wine: This wine achieves its signature bone-dry, mineral-driven style through cool-climate viticulture and precise, low-intervention winemaking. The vineyard's steep, west-facing slate slopes of the Seneca Lake maximize sunlight and airflow, ensuring optimal flavor ripeness and a distinct minerality. The deep glacial waters protect the vines from frost. In the cellar, winemaker Paul Hobbs uses gentle whole-bunch pressing and cool fermentation in stainless steel tanks to preserve delicate citrus blossom and white peach aromatics, followed by extended aging on the lees to introduce a textured, rounded mouthfeel that beautifully balances the wine's vibrant acidity. SERVED BEST AT: Cold (7 – 10 °C)
IDEAL PAIRINGS: Goat cheese salad, oysters, fried calamari WINE PROFILE: Citrus, green apple, stone fruit; crisp, long mineral finish. Recommended if you like: Dry, fruity white wines |
Louis Guntrum Oppenheim Herrenberg Riesling Spätlese
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Origin: Oppenheim, Rheinhessen, Germany
Variety: "Riesling" (REES-ling) About the wine: Spätlese literally means "late harvest" and refers to grapes harvested at a higher level of ripeness than Kabinett. The grapes are harvested later, allowing them to develop greater concentration and sugar levels on the vine. Rather than masking that sweetness with oak, the wine is made without oak, allowing the fruit and vineyard character to take centre stage. The result is a rich, juicy wine with mango and pineapple flavours, balanced by Riesling's characteristic acidity. SERVED BEST AT: Cold (7 – 10 °C)
IDEAL PAIRINGS: Thai curry, spicy curried chicken, sushi, crispy spicy chicken sandwich WINE PROFILE: Mango, pineapple, ripe stone fruit, citrus; rich, juicy and vibrant Recommended if you like: Sweet white wines |
Dr. Hermann Erdener Prälat Riesling Auslese
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Origin: Erdener Prälat, Mosel, Germany
Variety: "Riesling" (REES-ling) About the wine: Auslese means "selected harvest". These wines are made from particularly ripe, individually selected grapes and are generally sweeter and more concentrated than Spätlese. Erdener Prälat is one of the Mosel's steep, highly regarded vineyard sites. Its warm, sheltered microclimate and red slate soils help produce highly ripe, concentrated Riesling. Auslese grapes are harvested at very high ripeness, and in some vintages botrytized grapes (affected by noble rot) can contribute additional concentration and flavours. The wine shows flavours ranging from mango, pineapple and peach to citrus, honey, herbs and spice, while the site's naturally vibrant acidity keeps it fresh. SERVED BEST AT: Ice Cold (3 – 7 °C)
IDEAL PAIRINGS: Bleu cheese, foie gras, crème brûlée, or on its own as dessert. WINE PROFILE: Mango, peach, pineapple, lemon, honey, orange zest and spice; refreshing acidity balances the sweetness and concentrated fruit that lingers on the palate. Recommended if you like: Sweet wines |
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