Riesling Pairing Guide: Best Foods to Pair, According to a Sommelier
If you love hosting at home—whether it's a casual wine and cheese night or a full-on dinner party— then you already know that one of the biggest challenges is choosing the right wine to impress your guests while keeping things effortless— and affordable! One of my favorite entertaining hacks? Start with a legendary wine and build your menu around unexpected yet delicious food pairings. This week’s featured wine is a crowd favorite: Riesling!
Shades of Blue Riesling with a fruit and cheese plate— pairing perfection!
As a professional sommelier, I’m constantly asked which wines can please a wide array of guests with particular palates. My usual answer? Pick a Riesling– especially one from Germany’s historic Mosel Region. Think of it as the Goldilocks of wine: not too dry, not too sweet, but juuuuuust right. Mosel Rieslings are classically incredibly versatile, with bright green apple, citrus, and tropical fruit flavors, a hint of sweetness, and just the right amount of high acidity to keep it refreshing. Whether your hosting style leans classic, adventurous, upscale, or casual, this is the perfect wine to pair beautifully with a variety of spicy foods, creamy cheeses, white meat, and seafood dishes.
I’m thrilled to team up with Shades of Blue Riesling to demonstrate just why this wine is your hosting secret weapon!
Our Wine of the Week: Shades of Blue Riesling
Before we dive into Riesling wine pairings, let’s take a closer look at what makes Shades of Blue such an exceptional wine for pairing. Understanding its winemaking process and flavor profile will help you dazzle your guests with fun wine facts! And, the fact that it’s naturally lower in alcohol, and a budget-friendly option (you can find a bottle for less than $10) makes it a true MVP.
The Vineyards & Winemaking Process
Shades of Blue Riesling is crafted from hand-picked Riesling grapes grown in Germany’s iconic Mosel Region, where vineyards cascade down steep slopes overlooking the Mosel River. These vineyards sit in the region’s famous slate soil, which gives the wine a distinct mineral-driven elegance.
Thanks to a cooler climate and an extended growing season, the Riesling grapes ripen slowly, developing a balanced acidity and expressive fruit flavors. Harvest stretches into October, ensuring that each grape achieves optimal ripeness while preserving its zippy freshness.
After harvest, the grapes are gently pressed, and the juice undergoes a slow, temperature-controlled fermentation to retain its delicate fruit character. The wine is then aged in stainless steel tanks, maintaining its bright, fruit-forward profile with a touch of residual sugar for an elegant, off-dry style.
The result? A refreshing, aromatic Riesling with notes of green apple, lemon zest, and tropical fruits, making it a perfect match for a wide range of food pairings—from spicy curries and seafood dishes to charcuterie boards and creamy cheeses.
Now, let’s explore how to pair Shades of Blue Riesling with food!
The Best Food Pairings for German Mosel Riesling
Pairing food with Riesling wines is a perfect way to explore the full range of this crowd-pleasing varietal. Here are four delicious ways to do it!
Spicy Foods & Spicy Dishes
If you love spicy foods like Thai food, Indian food, or Mexican cuisine, then a glass of Riesling is your best friend. The slight hint of sweetness in off-dry Riesling helps tame the heat from black pepper, chilies, and bold spices, while the high acidity keeps your palate refreshed.
Thai Food – Pad Thai, spicy papaya salad, or coconut curry
Indian Food – Tandoori chicken, paneer tikka, or spicy biryani
Mexican Cuisine – Fish tacos, spicy shrimp fajitas, or pork enchiladas
Why it works: The sweetness level of Riesling wines balances the heat of spicy curries and adds an extra dimension to the exotic flavors of Asian cuisine.
Seafood Dishes & Shellfish
For a lighter pairing, Riesling wines are a great match for seafood dishes, especially those with creamy sauces or citrus accents. A bone-dry Riesling works well with raw oysters, while an off-dry Riesling like Shades of Blue pairs beautifully with richer seafood preparations.
Why it works: The zesty acidity and citrus notes in Riesling grapes enhance the natural brininess of seafood dishes while cutting through the richness of creamy sauces.
Cheese & Charcuterie Board
Hosting a wine and cheese night? Riesling’s acidity and fruitiness make it a great pairing for creamy cheeses, salty cheeses, and cured meats. Build a charcuterie board with a mix of textures and flavors to highlight the versatility of Shades of Blue Riesling.
Semi-firm cheeses: Aged cheddar, Gruyère, or Havarti
Creamy cheeses: Brie, Camembert, or any triple cream cheese
Why it works: The residual sugar in off-dry Riesling enhances creamy cheeses, while its high acidity cuts through rich textures for a balanced bite.
Roast Chicken or Pork Schnitzel
You might not think of an off-dry wine with white meat, but trust me—this pairing is next-level delicious! A medium-bodied Riesling like Shades of Blue is an amazing pairing for mild poultry like roast chicken or crispy and savory pork schnitzel.
Why it works: The honeyed fruitiness of off-dry Riesling balances savory, buttery flavors, while its bright acidity adds freshness to every bite.
The Right Wine for Every Occasion
If you're looking for a good wine that pairs equally well with spicy foods, seafood dishes, creamy cheeses, and classic comfort foods, Shades of Blue Riesling is the perfect match. Whether you're hosting a wine tasting, a dinner party, or a casual cheese board night, this German Riesling is a great pairing that’s guaranteed to impress.
Thank you Shades Of Blue for sponsoring this post!
