Welcome to July and the 31 Days of Riesling

 

It was July 2011 when the Wines of Germany began promoting the 31 Days of German Riesling.  Three years later over 500 restaurants and wine retailers throughout the U.S. will again promote Germany’s most prestigious grape with special tasting flights, food pairing dinner events, by-the-glass specials, and special purchasing discounts all month long.

Riesling Grape

Why all the fuss over German Riesling?  Germany’s goal is to increase greater awareness concerning their most famous grape, especially in the U.S. where we tend to tout our own Rieslings.

German Vineyard

And Germany does have bragging rights.  After all, over 60% of the world’s Riesling vineyards are located in there, and since the Riesling grape best expresses the terroir (soil) it is grown in, that is quite a compliment.

Vineyards

In Germany, Riesling is considered the most noble of grapes.  It can flourish in stony soil with little rain, ripening later than most grapes, usually in October.  It is the acidity level that gives this grape its character and that must be balanced with the sweetness of the grape in order to produce a wine of flavor, balance, and elegance.

Two-thirds of the Riesling wine produced in Germany is crafted in the Trocken (dry) style. And a German Riesling is considered to be one of the easiest wines to pair with food due to that wonderful balance of fruit and acidity.

Pairing Ideas:

Trocken Riesling

Salmon

Trocken (dry) Riesling pairs well with sea bass, salmon and snapper, pork chops, sausage, pizza, and medium to full bodied cheeses like Swiss, Brie, and Cheddar.

Riesling

Venison

For a semi-sweet Riesling (the broadest Riesling category), try game meats such as venison or rack of lamb, clam chowder, roast turkey, or a fresh fruit tart.

Dessert Riesling

Cheesecake

And for that rich, honeyed flavor of sweet dessert Riesling, you can’t miss with pate’, sharp cheeses like Gorgonzola or Roquefort, and top it off with cheesecake or apple strudel.

For more food and wine pairing ideas, Wine of Germany has it all @ 

http://www.germanwineusa.com/german-wine-101/food-wine-pairings.html

All this month, Wines of Germany will be highlighting information you may not know about German Riesling including a beginner’s look at the grape, tourism information, classifications, styles, and the grape’s history.  Visit Facebook for more details all month long - https://www.facebook.com/GermanWineUSA?fref=ts

  

 

Over 25 U.S. states will take time during the hot days of July to promote that cool and crisp German Riesling wine. For a list of participating restaurants and retailers visit www.31DaysGermanRiesling.com.

This weekend find a German Riesling event near you and celebrate all things Riesling, or pop a cork at home, sit back and savor what German Riesling has to offer during these hot July days. You just might find yourself carrying this new wine love affair on into autumn…

~ Joy