German Riesling Explained for Travellers: Dry, Sweet and What to Order

German Riesling ranges from dry to distinctly sweet, so the word Riesling alone does not tell you what will be in the glass.

Start with your preference

If you normally prefer dry wine, say so when ordering or tasting. If you enjoy sweeter styles, ask the producer or server to guide you through the available range.

Use tastings to learn

A regional tasting is often more useful than trying to memorise every label term before travelling.

Pairing

Riesling's range of acidity and sweetness makes it versatile with many foods; local recommendations are often the best place to start.