In the midst of the holiday season, sweets, cookies and baked goods bombard the senses.   Despite the potential for sugar overload, there is the possibility to pair a wine that is semi-sweet:   Riesling.

Riesling is most notably planted in Germany, but can be found planted in France, Italy, the United States and other countries.   In Napa Valley, each year Casa Nuestra Winery (“Casa Nuestra”) releases a small production of an off-dry Riesling (hailing from old vines planted in 1966) with notes of green apple, white peach and slight minerality.  

Riesling is highly influenced by where it is planted, taking on the characteristics of the terrior.  This white wine is generally characterized by a floral, if not perfumed nose, a variety of bright, crisp fruit flavors and high acidity.   Because of the high acidity, Riesling can actually age and is not a white wine that has to be quickly consumed within a year or two of initial bottling.  If the Riesling in question happens to be “off-dry” (meaning semi-sweet), the sugar contained in the wine will act to help preserve and extend the cellaring potential of the wine.   Aside from contributing to the ability to age a bottle of Riesling, the balance between its sugar content and acidity also allows it to pair well with a variety of food items.   For main courses, it pairs well with fish, pork, Thai, and sushi.  However, it also pairs well with certain desserts.

Riesling’s ability to pair alongside desserts provides a crisp, light off-dry alternative to sugary dessert wines or port.   My heritage is primarily Norwegian and as tradition follows in my family, Norwegian cookies and baked goods are made each December.  Norwegian cookies (such as Kringle, Spritz, and Sandbakkles) are not overly sweet or sugary.   It is also not uncommon among Norwegians to share their style of baked goods with a glass of wine in the late afternoon and a wine such as Casa Nuestra’s Riesling is a good candidate.

Also typical during the holidays is a warm spiced fruit pie.   To make something specifically paired with the Riesling, this week’s menu holds:

·         Spiced Apple Crumb Pie

When making an apple pie, the type of apple that is selected is crucial in determining the favor and the texture of the pie.   Taking into consideration the flavors found in Casa Nuestra’s Riesling, making an apple pie with crisp Fuji apples will mirror the notes in the wine and its acidity as well.  Loading the pie with several cups of apples and baking it for approximately forty to fifty minutes will cook the apples while maintaining a certain crisp consistency.  Considering that Riesling also pairs well with certain spicy cuisine, coating the apples in a mixture of sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg ensures a heavenly match with the wine.

As holiday gatherings continue, use creativity with your wine pairings to inspire lively alternatives to the usual fare and delight your guests.