German Riesling is a wine that truly defies categorization when it comes to sweetness levels. It is a wine that can range from bone dry to lusciously sweet, and everything in between. This versatility is one of the reasons why German Riesling is so beloved by wine enthusiasts around the world.
Let's start by exploring the dry side of German Riesling. Dry Rieslings from Germany are typically labeled as “trocken,” which means dry in German. These wines are fermented until all the sugar has been converted into alcohol, resulting in a crisp and refreshing wine with little to no residual sweetness. They are often characterized by their high acidity, which adds a zesty and lively quality to the wine. Dry German Rieslings can be enjoyed on their own as an aperitif or paired with a wide range of foods, from seafood to poultry to spicy Asian cuisine.
On the other end of the spectrum, German Riesling is also capable of producing some of the world's most iconic sweet wines. These wines are made from grapes that have been affected by noble rot, a beneficial fungus that causes the grapes to shrivel and concentrate their sugars. The resulting wines, often labeled as “Auslese,” “Beerenauslese,” or “Trockenbeerenauslese,” are intensely sweet and rich, with flavors of honey, apricot, and tropical fruits. These dessert wines are a true treat and can age gracefully for many years.
But what about the wines that fall in between dry and sweet? This is where German Riesling truly shines. The Germans have a unique classification system called the Prädikatswein system, which categorizes wines based on their ripeness levels at the time of harvest. This system allows for a wide range of sweetness levels, from Kabinett (the lightest and most delicate) to Spätlese (late harvest) to Auslese (select harvest) to Beerenauslese (berry select harvest) to Trockenbeerenauslese (dried berry select harvest).
Each of these categories represents a different level of ripeness and sweetness. Kabinett wines, for example, are typically off-dry or slightly sweet, with a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. Spätlese and Auslese wines can range from off-dry to medium-sweet, with more concentrated flavors and a richer mouthfeel. Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese wines, as mentioned earlier, are the sweetest and most decadent of them all.
To give you a personal example, a few years ago I had the opportunity to taste a Trockenbeerenauslese Riesling from the Mosel region in Germany. The wine was a deep golden color, with an incredibly intense aroma of dried apricots, honey, and caramel. On the palate, it was rich and luscious, with a perfect balance between sweetness and acidity. The flavors lingered on my tongue long after I had finished the glass, leaving a lasting impression of pure indulgence.
German Riesling is a wine that can be both dry and sweet, depending on the style and ripeness level. From bone dry trocken wines to lusciously sweet dessert wines, German Riesling offers a wide range of options to suit every palate. Its versatility and ability to express different sweetness levels is a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of the winemakers who produce it. So the next time you come across a bottle of German Riesling, don't be afraid to explore the full spectrum of styles and discover the incredible diversity that this wine has to offer.