Relax Riesling

Relax Riesling is a Massachusetts-made white wine from Esplanda, bottled in a standard 750ml size. The label gives the grape and the state of origin but no sweetness level, vintage or alcohol figure. So the notes below describe what Riesling grown in a cool Northeast climate usually delivers, not a measured profile of this bottle. Expect a pale, bright wine with aromas of green apple, citrus peel and white blossom. Some stone fruit, such as peach or apricot, often shows up as well. Riesling is high in natural acidity and light in body. It carries no oak influence and no meaningful tannin, so the structure comes from that acid, which leaves a clean, lifted finish. New England growing seasons are cool, and that tends to favor this crisp, fruit-forward profile. Check the label or ask the store about dryness, since Riesling ranges from bone dry to distinctly sweet. Riesling's acidity and aromatic lift make it unusually flexible at the table. If this bottle is on the drier side, it suits New England seafood well: steamed clams, baked haddock, pan-seared scallops and chilled shrimp all work. The acidity does the job a squeeze of lemon would. Roast chicken, pork loin with apple or mustard, and soft, creamy cheeses also go well. A touch of residual sugar helps with spicy dishes such as Thai curries, Szechuan-style noodles or Indian food heavy on chili, because sweetness softens the heat. For a slightly sweeter bottle, try salty partners like cured ham or aged hard cheese. Serve it well chilled, around 45 to 50°F, which is a couple of hours in the refrigerator or about 30 minutes in an ice bucket. Colder than that mutes the aromatics, and warmer makes the wine feel flabby. There's no need to decant. Pouring it straight from the bottle keeps the fresh fruit intact. A white wine glass with a moderately narrow bowl and a slight taper at the rim concentrates the aromas. A standard all-purpose white glass works just as well. Riesling can age well in the right hands, but nothing in the details here suggests this one is built for the cellar. Once opened, reseal it and keep it in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for three to five days.