Welcome to the first in a series of posts to help put you on the path to wine success!  To start with, we’re going cover the lightest of the six noble grapes, Riesling.  This light skinned grape grows well in many cool climates like New York and Germany, and has a tendency to produce wines with sparkling acidity, stone fruits (apricots and peaches), and, in some cases, a honey like sweetness.  As such, Riesling can pair well with lots of fish dishes and certain foods it grows along side, like German dishes.

Quick Facts on Riesling:

Color: White
Style: Dry to Sweet
Body:  Light
General Characteristics:  High Acidity, Low Alcohol, Stone Fruit, Minerality, Honey (if sweet)
Notable Regions: New York, Alsace (France), Germany, Austria

Back in 2011, Dr. L Riesling did very well, producing a text book Riesling example at under $10.  Can 2012 Dr. L Riesling produce the same high quality?

Sight:  2012 Dr. L Riesling pours a pale yellow with hints of gold around the edges.

Smell:  A touch yeasty on the start, with a heady aroma lending into fermented honey.  Touches of fresh apple and pear with hints of lemon pith round out the smell.

Sip: 2012 Dr. L Riesling taste sweet off the bat, but slightly tight in the presentation of it’s flavors.  Again, the fermented honey notes jump out, but are closely followed by lemon pith and hints of floral.  The pear flavors continue, with a light-medium body thanks to the addition of sugar.

Savor:  On the ending, the lightest hints of wet rocks are present, with a pop of citrus.  The ending is subtle, and short.

2012 Dr. L Riesling is a little tight and understated for a riesling.   While some of the slightly flabby elements might be forgivable or be the result of chilling too long, the sparkling acidity Riesling can bring is one of it’s highlights, and should therefore be more front and center.  The subtle sweetness is a nice

Verdict:  Sweet, Lemon, Honey, Flat
Price: $9.99
Mosel, Germany