Rieslings are terrific partners for many types of cuisine. With their extraordinary range of sweetness levels and regional styles, it’s possible to find a Riesling for just about any dish. The key is to find the appropriate combination of sweetness, acidity, intensity, texture, and aromatic harmony (or contrast). Understanding Riesling’s versatility and diversity is key to better positioning Riesling with your clients––explore our Riesling Food Pairing Guide to get started on showcasing its full potential. Download a printable version of the guide here to take it on the go!
Riesling’s Versatile Nature
Riesling is one of the few grapes that can produce wines in the complete sweetness range, from totally dry to extremely sweet, or anything in between, and still maintain its distinctive fruit character and a fine structure. The staggering diversity of sweetness levels and regional styles means that it is possible to find a Riesling that will match the weight, texture, and flavor profile of nearly every dish. Riesling’s purity shines when paired with food because the wine enhances the flavors of the dish rather than competing with them or covering them up.
Your Riesling Program, Covered – From Crisp & Dry to Rich & Age-Worthy.
This is especially true with today’s lighter, healthier cooking that features fresh, local ingredients. Lighter Rieslings with a bit of sweetness and low alcohol cool the palate and match perfectly with the lighter texture of spicy Asian cuisine. Riesling’s crisp acidity cleanses and refreshes the palate while intensifying the flavors of food, making it ideal for heavier, classic dishes with butter or cream. Very sweet, dessert-style Rieslings are gorgeous to drink on their own, with fruit-based desserts, or with rich blue cheeses.
Key Principles to Pairing Riesling
Sushi & Riesling: A Pairing That Just Weil-works!
One of the greatest strengths of Riesling is its ability to complement a wide range of flavors, thanks to its high acidity, balanced sweetness, and aromatic complexity. Here’s how to match different styles of Riesling with key food profiles:
Acidity Loves Acidity
High-acid wines pair best with dishes that have bright, zesty flavors. A crisp, dry Riesling enhances fresh seafood like oysters, ceviche, and sushi, cutting through any richness while amplifying citrusy notes. Riesling is also a natural match for vinaigrette-dressed salads and tangy goat cheese.
Sweetness Balances Spice
Spicy cuisine and Riesling are a dream team. The slight residual sugar in an off-dry or Kabinett Riesling softens the heat of Thai curries, Sichuan dishes, and Mexican salsas, creating a harmonious balance that keeps flavors vibrant without overpowering the palate.
Umami-Friendly & Rich Dishes
Riesling’s vibrancy and fruit-driven profile elevate savory, umami-rich foods. A full-bodied Riesling, like an Auslese with some bottle age, can stand up to pork belly, duck confit, or even mushroom risotto. Meanwhile, a dry, mineral-driven Riesling enhances the complexity of aged cheeses and charcuterie.
Unexpected Pairings That Just Work
Riesling isn’t just for traditional pairings–its versatility makes it a surprise star with fried foods (like schnitzel or tempura), smoky barbecue, and even burgers with caramelized onions. The acidity cuts through the fat, while the aromatics add depth to every bite.
The Loosen Bros. USA crew shares their favorite unexpected pairings:
“The most surprising and exceptional pairing I’ve ever experienced was Riesling and Ribeye. I was finishing the last of an older vintage Riesling Auslese I’d shown a customer earlier in the day. My daughter was grilling some thick-cut ribeyes with a sweet and spicy dry rub. We had another bottle on cue for dinner, but I didn’t want to dump the last of the Riesling since it was so gorgeous. Turns out the RS (residual sugar) and high acid in the Riesling was a perfect partner to the rich, juicy, fatty steak with its spicy rub.” – Molly Sweeney, Director of Sales – Midwest & New England
“Dry Riesling and Asiago cheese. Simple yet perfect.” –– Kelly Richardson, Director of Sales – East.
Positioning Riesling for Maximum Impact
Stocking a Riesling for BTG (by-the-glass) programs isn’t just about filling a category–it’s about adding a dynamic, profitable, and reliable wine to your program. Riesling is your answer for an option that is versatile, food-friendly, and consistently drives guest engagement.
Make the Maximin Impact – Maximin Grünhaus Riesling Delivers
Unmatched Food Pairing Versatility
From fresh seafood to spicy dishes, Riesling adapts effortlessly across a menu. Its bright acidity and balance of fruit and minerality make it one of the most flexible wines for pairing, reducing the need for an extensive BTG selection. Leverage Riesling’s shapeshifting ability to enhance seasonal menus and tasting flights!
Appeals to a Wide Range of Guests
Whether dry, off-dry, or slightly sweet, Riesling meets customers where they are. A well-chosen Riesling can satisfy both the casual wine drinker and the serious enthusiast, boosting repeat orders and overall satisfaction.
A Conversation Starter
Many guests associate Riesling with sweetness, but offering a dry or off-dry version sparks curiosity and invites discovery. Staff can easily introduce it as a surprising and exciting choice, leading to more engaged wine sales.
Featured Rieslings for Success
Now that we’ve covered why Riesling is a must-have and how to pair it, let’s talk specifics. The right Riesling on your list can elevate both your menu and your sales. Here are a few standout selections that deliver exceptional food-pairing versatility and guest appeal:
Dry Rieslings are less flamboyantly aromatic and fruity than those with sweetness, and their higher alcohol gives them a big, full-bodied structure. Riesling GGs from the Rhine Valley tend to be more structured and richer than the steely Rieslings from the Mosel, meaning they can stand up to heavier, more indulgent cuisine.
- 2023 Robert Weil Kiedrich Gräfenberg Riesling GG – a perfect reflection of mineral-rich terroir, displaying a provocative balance of fruit, spice, and flintiness.
- 2022 Wittmann Brunnenhäuschen Riesling GG – a powerhouse of precision and depth, this wine delivers intense minerality, vibrant acidity, and layers of herbal nuances.
Try this unexpected pairing with Rhine Valley GG Rieslings:
“A grilled steak with simple seasoning as to not overpower the natural flavor of the beef, paired with a full-bodied, dry Riesling is truly incredible. Some may think I’m crazy choosing to pair a steak with a white wine over the obvious choice of a bold red, but these Rhine Rieslings really enhance the flavors of the steak, and they almost offer a cleansing nature to the palate. It’s a harmonious and delicious meal!” – Kirk Wille, President
Delicacy and a mineral-inflected fruitiness are the hallmarks of fine, off-dry Rieslings (Feinherb, Kabinett, Spätlese). Their elegant style and absolute purity of flavor make them excellent partners for modern cooking that emphasizes high-quality, fresh ingredients. These wines are naturally low in alcohol, have a fine structure and crisp acidity that balances sweetness and helps clean and freshen the palate.
- 2023 Zilliken Butterfly Riesling – Bright and juicy, with moderate alcohol, this butterfly soars high on citrus and floral wings.
- Try me (and other Rieslings with low RS) with BBQ! Brisket, ribs, pulled-pork–you name it, it works with Riesling.
- 2023 Maximin Grünhaus Schloss Riesling Kabinett – GG quality at an accessible price for endless enjoyment.
- 2023 Dr. Loosen Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese – Vibrant and exotically fruity with a rich mouthfeel and lingering finish.
Sweeter Rieslings, like German Auslese, work well on their own as well as with rich, spicy Indian dishes or moderately sweet dishes featuring fresh fruits. When these wines mature (10 to 20 years old), Auslese-style Rieslings become earthier and drier to the taste, making them classic partners for braised or roasted game dishes, such as fowl, venison, and even wild boar.
- 2023 Fritz Haag Juffer Riesling Auslese – Richly concentrated, yet maintains a lively, light-footed character from its intense slate-soil origins.
- 2021 Dr. Loosen Erdener Prälat Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel – Gloriously dense and complex dessert-style Riesling from the most extraordinary single-vineyard site in the Mosel Valley.
Riesling isn’t just a great wine – it’s a sales driver, a food-pairing powerhouse, and an easy way to add excitement to your wine list. Whether by the glass or by the bottle, the right Riesling can enhance guest experiences and set your program apart.
Use this newsletter and our Riesling Food Pairing Guide as a tool to help your team confidently recommend Riesling to buyers and restaurant accounts. Educating customers on the versatility of Riesling makes it an easier sell and a more dynamic addition to any wine program.
