Daily Confessional: Kristi Mayfield, Dec. 1, 2021
I must confess it’s probably my favorite varietal. Funny, whenever I mention how much I love Riesling, I seem to always get the same response – “I HATE RIESLING”! I know, I know, it has a terrible reputation, but trust me here, you don’t have to be a somm to love it! Riesling ranges from uber dry to uber sweet and everything in between.
Truth is you may not like all types of Riesling, but get back out there and try again. Not a fan of sweet wine which most people think when they see Riesling on a menu or shelf? Fine! Try these tips to find an amazing dry version and thank me later. My confession may just become your obsession!
Tip: as sugar converts to alcohol during fermentation, Riesling with lower alcohol (or ABV) will likely have more sugar or sweetness remaining as not all of the sugar converted. If you want dry, look for clues on the label as many now have sweetness scales on the back label or will specify “Dry Riesling” or “Sweet Riesling” on the front label (mostly for US wines).
For help understanding sweetness or sugar levels in Riesling, here’s a great guide: https://drinkriesling.com/tasteprofile/thescale
