Plus a £50 German Riesling giveaway in collaboration with Wines of Germany.
Riesling is a light-skinned aromatic grape grown throughout Germany and, according to many of the world’s top wine critics, it is one of the best grape varieties for making the best quality wine. We’ve just finished taste testing a variety of German Rieslings, and I can confirm that yes, it is a rather drinkable summery white wine! It is quite amazing how one single variety of grape can create such different flavours, depending on where it was grown.
Here we have ten reasons why we think you should be drinking German Riesling this summer:
1. GERMAN RIESLING IS BEST SERVED COLD
Summer is hot. Riesling is served cold (not too cold, see reason #8!). Plus, it’s thirst-quenching. Win!
2. RIESLING IS A LIGHT, CRISP WINE
The fermentation process for German Riesling makes for an incredibly light wine. Unlike many other wines which are fermented in oak barrels, Riesling is usually fermented in stainless steel casks or neutral oak casks so you don’t get that heavy taste. Riesling tastes like a light, airy summer.
3. IT RANGES FROM DRY TO SWEET
Riesling is not just a sweet wine like many of us believe. The diverse wines range from bone dry to lusciously sweet, due to differences in region, terroir, and ripeness at harvest, so there’s something for every personal taste.
4. FOOD PAIRINGS – IT GOES WITH NEARLY EVERYTHING
Riesling pairs with almost any food. Its acidity acts as a palate cleanser in between courses. From the starter to a main and dessert, Riesling’s got you covered.
5. HISTORY, CRAFTSMANSHIP & CULTURE
Riesling is cultivated in all 13 wine growing regions of Germany, and its history was first documented in the 15th century. 1435, to be specific. In fact, 50% of the world’s Riesling grapes are grown in Germany, a variety conspicuously absent from the core wine growing regions in Italy, Spain and France. When you drink Riesling you’re drinking a wine with centuries history, craftsmanship and culture behind it.
6. LOWER ALCOHOL CONTENT
Riesling often has a lower alcohol content by volume, so you can sip it at your leisure in a sunny garden throughout the afternoon without worrying about over doing it. For example, the 2015 Dr L Grey Slate Riesling from Erni Loosen contains only 10.5% alcohol content.
7. RIESLING AGES WELL
Many wines need to be consumed after a few years of bottling, but Riesling can be stored for decades without losing quality. In fact, many Rieslings can reach a peak of maturity around 15-20 years, but some Classic Rieslings have been known to taste superb even after 100!
8. RIESLING DOESN’T TAKE VERY LONG TO CHILL
Riesling should be chilled, but not to ice cold temperatures or you’ll miss all the flavours and aromas of the grape. Instead, twenty minutes in the fridge should bring it to the optimum temperature of 45-50°F/ 7-10°.
9. RIESLING IS AN AFFORDABLE WINE
A good wine needn’t be an expensive wine, and the average UK budget doesn’t often stretch to fork out on the more expensive varieties (I know mine doesn’t!), so with a Riesling, you know you are spending your money on something that is going to taste great.
10. WE’RE GIVING AWAY A CASE OF GERMAN RIESLING!
Wines of Germany are offering one of my UK readers the chance to win a case of German Riesling worth approximately £50! This case will feature six different varieties of German Riesling to give you a taste of how versatile a single grape variety can be. To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter entry form below!
TERMS & CONDITIONS
This giveaway is open to UK entries only. Entrants must be age 18 or over. The winner will need to respond within 30 days of being contacted; failure to do this may result in another winner being selected.
The prize is offered and provided by Wines of Germany. The prize is to win a case of German Riesling worth £50. There is no cash alternative and the prize is not transferable.
There is no entry fee and no purchase is necessary to enter this giveaway.
The promoter (Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary) reserves the right to cancel or amend the giveaway and these terms and conditions without notice.
Entry into our giveaways will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions.
If you need some help using Rafflecopter, here’s a quick clip to show you how. Rafflecopter will pick the winner at random from all the entries received. I will be verifying entries. Any automated entries or those who have claimed they have made the mandatory blog post comment and really haven’t will be disqualified. It’s mandatory! Please make sure your comment is eight words or longer or Google views it as spam and this negatively affects my spam score. All entries with comments fewer than the mandatory 8 words will be disqualified and deleted.
Closing date is midnight (that’s 00:00 hours, 12 am on Sunday night/Monday morning) on Monday 28 August 2017 (GMT). The winner will be announced afterwards.
This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Wines of Germany. Thank you for supporting the brands who make it possible for me to do what I love: mess up my kitchen and share recipe stories! All photographs via Shutterstock.
Pea and Vanilla Cake with Lemon Icing
Oh yes to that. German Rieslings are the best served deliciously cold and matched with just about anything.
My friend introduced me to Riesling and now I always look out for it on the menu when I’m eating out
Goes well with the summer weather when chilled.
Definitely. It’s been a firm favourite of ours for as long as I can remember. Very tasty!
I Particularly like it on a hot summer day as it’s really refreshing too.
To be honest, I haven’t had a German wine in years. It used to be very popular but was overtaken by wines from Chile etc. but I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed it. I’m definitely going to pop a few bottles in my shopping.
Yes I do like German Riesling, it’s nice chilled in summer
Yes great wine to have at parties and bbqs as not expensive
I do like a glass or 2 of Riesling, love the fresh crisp taste xx
yes, its a lovely crisp wine. Pefect served cold on a summer day in the garden
I have never tried it but just been reading up on it and sounds great xx
I’ve recently become more of a Reisling fan after drinking some on a recent visit to Germany. I remember not thinking much of it years ago, but it’s definitely improved!
I love it as I like my wine sweet anyway so always been a big fan for years
I’ve never tryed it before but it sound amazing
I love a GLASS on a gorgeous Summer evening. True HEAVEN.
Always be a lover of this wine. It’s my wife big 50 soon, and this wine is on own drinks menu.
I’ve never tried it but would very much like to
I don’t think I’ve actually tried it before but it sounds like it’s something I would enjoy.
I’ve not tried it but would love to
I really like German Riesling. I was first introduced to it on a short break to Germany a couple of years ago.
I love it as long as it is chilled. Very drinkable
I have never tried it but after reading the other comments it’s a wine I will look out for when next shopping.
Definitely, it’s lovely and crisp and goes well with just about everything. Particularly like it on a hot summer day as it’s really refreshing too.
Riesling is an old favorite of mine although not drank any for quite a while. I always thought that it went well with a curry.
really nice flavour and its not too dry and goes well with everything
I love a Riesling with plenty of ice. A great drink for Summer
Yes I love them I enjoy a crisp and refreshing wine, some others can be too heavy for me
really nice flavour and its not too dry and goes well with everything
I certainly am a fan, I love a good quality crisp wine to drink with my speciality teas
It has a lovely crisp flavour, one of our favourites
i don’t drink but my dad is a big fan
Always a fan of German wines – they are especially crisp
I am – it was the only one that my mother drank so it was the first one I had. I find it rather refreshing when chilled after a hard day in work
I love Riesling and it’s not too dry, and is really fresh and goes great with cheese 🙂
*as it’s not too dry!
I actually have never tried it, I’m normally a Rose girl although do have other wines so would be nice to try
I have never tried German Riesling but would love too. Thanks for the chance xx
I love it for the fact that it doesn’t break the bank to taste this lovely drink.
I like German Riesling as it’s a very pleasant drink and doesn’t leave a bad taste in your mouth x
Yes, I really like it, it’s a full on big flavour, but crisp and refreshing, not heavy.
To be honest I’ve never tried it but I’m always willing to try new things.
Riesling is a lovely variety, great for evenings outside too
I love it
to be honest ive not tried it before, sounds nice though i love sweet drinks
Yes I like Riesling – its a lovely light and crisp white wine :o)
It’s a lovely wine, perfect for the evening and especially in summer. So fresh and crisp 🙂
I actually never tried as I enjoy sparkling wine most the time.
fresh easy wine for fish and vegatables..love it
I’ve not long been acquainted with it but it’s definitely becoming a keen favourite!
Yes I am, I love the sharp crisp taste
What’s not to like? It’s fruity, not too strong and very drinkable – yes, I’m a fan! 🙂
it’s lovely on a warm evening whilst enjoying some bbq food 🙂
I find it a bit hit and miss, as sometimes it is too sweet for me, but I would like to give this one a try!
I love it, and other German wines such as elbling
I personally have never heard or had it before but i would love to try it.
I went to a Riesling wine tasting evening and found some of the bottles very acidic tasting. However others bottles were lovely and it wasn’t necessarily the most expensive that I liked. So yes I like it but not all
I have never tried this before but judging by the comments I think I ought to
Riesling is a great German wine, I’d recommend it!
Im not sure if I have actually tried it but I do love a good wine. Thank you
I have never actually tried this wine before so am not currently a fan, but i’m sure i could be as i love a nice glass of white 🙂
I don’t drink much alcohol. I do like German Riesling. It is the first wine that I ever tasted, a glass with my Christmas dinner when I was about twelve, back in the 80’s
Yes I’m a fan especially on a hot summers day
I’ve not had it before, but sounds very nice – like that it has a lower alcohol content.
I only drink occasionally & can’t remember if I have tasted Riesling. I know Hubby likes it though, so this would be for him.
I loved Riesling when I was much younger and enjoyed eating in the open air – perhaps I should again start to eat outside and enjoy the light !eats” and the superb matching with a Riesling
I’ve never tried German Riesling but I would love to.
I have always been a fan of Riesling, for some of the reasons you talk about – it is light, nor heavily oaked, and it has a fruity, juicy character, which I prefer. I also tend to prefer a white wine over red, and also I don’t like a very strong, high alcohol wine. Riesling suits me very well!
It’s crisp, light and fresh so it’s a nice sipper that goes down a treat
I have never tried it before, however i would love to try it after i have my baby boy in 3 weeks!
I must admit this isn’t something I’ve tried before but something I would love to investigate and try so fingers crossed I win. My mother grew up in Germany so I certainly will be asking her about this.
I think it would be fair to say I am a seasonal drinker of Riesling – I tend to enjoy most on a warm summers day
Ive only tried it the once but hubby really likes it 🙂
I enjoy German Riesling as a refreshing lunchtime or early evening drink in the garden,
I like German Reisling as it’s clean, crisp and fresh. It’s an easy drinking wine that’s very adaptable.
I love Reisling. You get all the taste with less of the headache if you have a tad too much 😉 x
I’ve never tried Riesling but I would really like to! I know that my sister in law loves it to so I guess I could share it with her!
It’s not a wine I’ve ever tried so at the moment I’m not a fan but I’m sure I could be persuaded!
I’m a big fan , I love Riesling as it’s quite sweet which makes it so enjoyable to drink
I have only tried it once, and I remember it being delicious! I would love to try again and see if I remembered correctly
Big fan – I find it really refreshing! Perfect Summer drink
Not a bad wine and it goes nice with salmon
I have only just discovered it and I am really surprised by the flavour
I would probably need to try a Case of German Riesling first 🙂
I really enjoy German Riesling, I visited the Mosel on holiday and the wines were delicious
Love to try
I have only tried riesling once at a wine fair. I do like it but always opt for a newzealand sauvignon blanc when buying wine as its what i know best x
have yet to try this but maybe one day thanks for sharing always willing to win something new
I must say I haven’t tried it but I would very much like to 🙂
German wines are very often under-rated – especially since the popularity of new world wines has grown – and the Reisling is one of the best! A chilled glass of white wine on a summer’s evening – perfect!
Yes, I like sweet wines and discovered Riesling when I was 18 or 19. It’s one of my favourite wines now.
I have never actually tried it, but heard very good things about it so would love to try!
I have never tasted this personally, however, my best friends family love this wine, so it would be good to try, maybe at a dinner party!
It depends on what I feel like but as others say it goes well when eating fish or chicken
I’ve never tried
It but it sounds right up my street, hate waiting for a wine to chill!
Fist got a taste for this lovely wine, when I went Grape picking in the Moselle valley, it was really hard work, but the lovely glass of wine given to us in our lunch break more than made up for it
Absolutely love this wine! Perfect for sat out in the garden in this lovely weather
I am a huge fan, i think it tastes lovely and I would happily buy it for a party or even for a wedding.
I first tasted it on Holiday in Germany and have been a big fan since
I dont think i’ve ever tried it, but id love too
I love it,it goes with most food well x
Yes, but then I’m not fussy about wine, most of it tastes good to me!
I only really like white wine & very much enjoy German Riesling, it goes down very well!
i do not know if i would like it or not as i have not really take much notice when drinking what the lable says but would like to try it
Riesling is a beautiful wine from a very beautiful part of the world – it’s so easy to drink!
never tried it I don’t think ,but would like to.
I have never tried it but I would like to
Yes, very nice! I had coq au riesling recently at a cafe and it was really tasty.
Yes I really like Riesling it has such a refreshing and energetic taste and is perfect enjoyed on a warm summers evening!
I am a huge fan, I think it is because it packs more flavour than other wines, but is cheaper because it is less popular
I love Riesling very light and refreshing on a summers day
Yes, I’m a fan of German Riesling because it tastes really nice.
Would love to try it!
I love it. I like the crispness
I’ve only tried it a few times but it was nice and refreshing, if I am honest though, I like my wines stronger otherwise I feel as if I am drinking a soft drink with some of them, they can bit a bit watery feeling.
I don’t think I’ve ever tried it, but from the looks of the other comments I need to go and get some
I like Riesling it’s great easy to drink wine
I do really enjoy it, although I haven’t drunk it often. It’s really light and summery.
I don’t drink, but I would love this for my Daughter and Son-in-Law, they enjoy German wines as they say they are crisp and refreshing, so this would be a lovely treat for them.
We fin Riesling a lovely refreshing wine that compliments food that we tend to enjoy
i like it the only thing is i always put soda in my wine so i suppose im kinda ruining it
Riesling is one of the world’s most underrated grape varieties!
Massive fan of German Riesling. Love the refreshing taste after a hard days work
i have never tried it, hence i would love to win this competition
I’m not a great fan of German Riesling but absolutely love German Red wine when I can get hold of it.
I’m actually not a fan. I think my experience from years ago of very cheap and rough put me off! However, a friend of mine was telling me that she’s recently rediscovered it and there are some great ones on the market these days, so I’m prepared to give it another go!
I haven’t bought german wine for a long time, but I mihjt give it a try again
I am not a fan because I haven’t tried it.
We used to drink it a lot and I can’t remember why we don’t now I think it was because my husband started drinking more red but It was really nice
German Riesling is my favourite fresh tasted wine choice for a summer picnic
yes, we love German Riesling, especially at summer evening barbecues
i havent tasted it for years – it used to have a terrible reputation – i would be interested in seeing how much better its got.
Yes! My friend has just moved to Berlin (for a bar tending course no less!) and Riesling is well loved by us 🙂
I like the fresh crisp taste of Riesling – it makes a great treat
My partner and me discovered Riesling last year and have been huge fans ever since. We both love the rich fruitiness the flavour which goes well with all our favourite spicy foods – and, of course, we love the price too!
I have only tried it once but enjoyed it.
I really like Riesling and I find it very refreshing to drink
I am a big fan of German Riesling. It has a lovely crisp flavour, but without being ‘sharp’ like some white wines can be. Fingers crossed and thanks XXX
I like Riesling, I find it very refreshing to drink
Riesling for Alsace is best, I find no other region comes close!
I find Riesling to be crisp-tasting yet very easy to drink, perfect for the summer.
I love the nice crisp taste of the white wine on an evening with chicken pasta
Yes, I love riesling. It’s one of my favourites. 🙂
I quite like Riesling – the sweeter varieties rather than the dryer ones – it’s tasty and affordable!
Riesling is considered one of the grape varieties that best expresses of the place where it is grown.
I prefer white in the summer, especially with a bit of ice and fruit.
i have never tried any german beers these look fab though would be ideal for a bbq xx
Yes, i am. I like it nice and chilled, and usually with our Sunday dinner.
not my first choice of wine, but avoiding the cheap ones it can be a pleasant summer tipple
Yes I do enjoy Riesling – I find it crisp and light just right for a summer day
Yes! This is one of only a couple of white wines we buy to drink with fish meals! It is on the menu tonight!
LOVE IT !! Nice in summer to sit out and have a lovely glass or two 1
Yes I do, because it is a very nice drinkable wine
Yes I enjoy German Riesling. I don’t set out to buy it personally but I always enjoy it when I have it at my friend’s house during bbqs
Love white wine best and have always enjoyed a glass of german riesling
I am a fan of German Riesling I find it to be a really smooth wine and perfect on a summer evening in the garden, definitely one of my favourite wines.
I cannot say I have ever tried German Riesling before, so this would be fantastic if I won and had the chance to try it. I usually stick to what I know, Australia and NZ Sauvignon blanc.
It is a nice wine particularly with dessert
My favourite white wine is Riesling as its refreshing and easy to drink.
I like white wine in preference to red wine, and Riesling is a fantastic wine
Yes, I do like it – I prefer white wine to red wine.
Yes, I do like it. I prefer white wine to red wine.
Never heard about them, but It seems interesting, I would like to give it a go 🙂
I am a fan of Riesling, I have been drinking it since the 1980’s. It went out of fashion for a while but it’s back now with some of the other wines we used to love but then went out of favour.
i love german wine i find it sweet and so suited to my palette
Yes, I love their wines. I have a glass of wine each evening – for medicinal purposes!
Am a fan yes, always look forward to a glass,
I tried it for the first time in Germany last year and it was delicious!
Love to celebrate our 52nd wedding anniversary year with this superb wine!
Love German Riesling wine, it’s perfect for just chilling out with friends x
I love Riesling Wine ,it is easy to drink and tastes much better when chilled.
I love it. It is much better served cold, it is great for parties.
Yes, I do like it, my mum loves her wine and I have tried at when I have been round for a meal
I used to drink it, but haven’t had it in a while
Yes its very nice and perfect for parties .x
I have never tried it yet but my sister enjoys a glass
It is my favourite,I find it much more palatable than any other wine plus it’s all my mum used to buy so I’m used to it.
I would love to try it but cant say I know too much about it, im open minded 🙂
I like Riesling as it tastes crisp and fresh. Thanks for the chance to win x
Riesling is the only wine I really like , I find it much easier to drink than any other wine.