Riesling So Cool it is Hot to Serve

So whether you are planning to entertain friends at home or you just need a bottle of wine that makes you look good at the boss's party, it's best to start shopping early.

I am planning a series of columns that will run through December to cover off all your needs so be sure to clip and save them as we go and you shouldn't be without a timely wine suggestion.

Today we begin the chase with riesling; a grape variety that is so cool to drink it is now totally hot to order. So if you want to look in the know you will have to open a few, well-chosen bottles of riesling, preferably bearing a screw cap, over the holidays.

The good news is riesling is a terrific party grape that can be paired with a variety of foods or that can stand-alone as a spectacular sipper.

I have already discussed a number of high quality screw cap versions in this space throughout the year; labels such as Dr L., Wynns Coonawarra, Wolf Blass Gold Label, Penfolds Eden Valley but there is more riesling out there and the numbers are growing each month.

When you think about it, if any city was made for riesling Vancouver would have to be among any top five list. The whole pan-Asian cuisine featuring Asian Indian, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese and Japanese food and their diverse range of spicing play right into the hand of riesling. So too does a wide variety of local seafood and shellfish. Perhaps the best match I've had this year was with pulled pork at Memphis Blues on Commercial Drive which gives you an idea of how versatile this fruit juicy, crisp white variety can be.

Once you get by the no oak thing, you will be enthralled by its mineral, citrus, peachy slate flavours, its crisp acidity and better yet: low alcohol. And don't forget the spicier the food the sweeter the riesling can be -- the pairing possibilities are endless. Let the party season begin.

What can you say about The Bishop of Riesling 2003. At $10.99 you simply won't find a better riesling for the price. Look for smoky, apple skin, clover and green peach aromas mixed with round, elegant green apple, mineral, citrus, wet cement and peach pit flavours. Solid, consistent, and very close to the classic riesling style, all for a third of the price.

The Rudolf Muller Riesling Classic 2002 comes out of the warmer (than the Mosel) Pfalz region but still offers enough mineral notes to freshen its nutty quince, floral, peachy notes. Its slightly off-dry (read sweet) entry appeals to many, thanks to an underlying acidity that balances off the sweet fruit. The rest is all green apple skin, mineral, honey flavours with a crisp citrus/apple finish. The perfect match for Chinese style seafood. Good value too.

Another Pfalz offering at an affordable price is Kendermanns Dry Riesling 2002. Look for that peachy, floral, mineral, honey, baked apple aroma with similar citrus, mineral, creamy peach flavours. A well balanced, citrus style riesling that is fun to sip or could be paired effortlessly with chicken satays. Again it is hard to beat the $10.95 price.

Locally, I like what I taste in the Nk'Mip Cellars Riesling 2003. The Osoyoos-based winery offers up delicious ripe, red apple, nectarine, honey, floral mineral aromas and flavours. It's a slightly sweeter style but with a balance of acidity that would make a terrific appetizer/pre-party drink. I would pick up a bottle and grab some pulled pork take-out from Memphis Blues.

Piesporter is one of many German place names that have been widely abused over time. Thankfully at Rudolf Muller they have a sense of integrity that should restore your faith in Piesporter and riesling. We love the styling of the Rudolf Muller Piesporter Goldtropfchen Riesling Kabinett 2002 from its floral, green apple skin, slate and lime rind nose to its mineral, citrus, granny smith, peach flavours and smoky slate finish. This is the real deal riesling -- one that you can drink now or hold for another three to five years.

The star of the tasting is the Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Kabinett 2003. Don't let the long name scare you and frankly don't pass up any 2003 Mosels rieslings without tasting them. The Schlossberg has all the peach, clover, slate, green apple and lime aromas you can handle with crisp, juicy acidity and ripe red apple, green peach and honey flavours. Super ripe it is really a spatlese (late-pick) in a kabinett (dry) jacket. Drink now or cellar for a decade.

WEEKEND WINE TASTING: Riesling

The Bishop of Riesling 2003 Germany
$10.99
4006542053654
86/100
Solid, consistent, classic style riesling at a giveaway price.

Rudolf Muller Riesling Classic 2002, Pfalz, Germany
$10.99
4006542008203
86/100
The perfect match spicy Asian cuisine and good value.

Kendermanns Dry Riesling 2002 Pfalz, Germany
$10.95
785859245122
86/100
Well balanced, citrus style riesling paired with light seafood or chicken appetizers.

Nk'Mip Cellars Riesling 2003, Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, B.C
$14.29 Winery Only
836909010532
86/100
Ripe red apple, nectarine, honey, floral mineral, do you need more?

Rudolf Muller Piesporter Goldtropfchen Riesling Kabinett 2002, Germany
$16.99
4006542053760
87/100
Juicy smoky slate citrus rind riesling to drink and age.

Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Kabinett 2003, Germany
$29.95
626566778216
89/100
Delicious ripe red apple, slate, green peach and honey flavours.