Steinbock Na Riesling

Steinbock Na Riesling is a non-alcoholic wine from Esplanda, made in the style of Riesling. The label doesn't state the grape source, residual sugar level or production method, so what follows describes what dealcoholised Riesling-style wines usually taste like, not measured notes for this bottle. Expect the variety's typical high-toned aromas: green apple, lime zest, white peach and a floral note of blossom or citrus peel. Riesling is not oaked, and non-alcoholic versions are generally lighter-bodied than the standard wines. The fruit and acidity carry the flavour, and the finish tends to be short to medium. Tannin isn't a factor in a white like this. The structure comes from the bright acidity, which gives the wine its freshness and usually balances any touch of sweetness. That acidity makes the wine a flexible partner at the table. Styles like this suit foods that overwhelm gentler whites, such as Thai green curry, Vietnamese summer rolls, sushi and sashimi, or pork with an apple or mustard sauce. It also works with roast chicken, soft rind cheeses and salads dressed with lemon or rice vinegar. If the bottle turns out to carry a little residual sweetness, it will handle chilli heat well. If it's bone dry, lean toward shellfish, grilled white fish and goat's cheese. Serve it well chilled, at about 6 to 8°C. An hour or two in the fridge is enough, or about 20 minutes in an ice bucket if it's warm. Colder temperatures tighten the acidity and mute the aromatics, and a bottle that's too cold can taste thin. No decanting is needed. Pour it straight from the bottle into a white wine glass with a tapered rim, which gathers the citrus and floral aromas better than a wide tumbler. Treat this as a drink-now bottle. Non-alcoholic wines don't have the alcohol and structure that let conventional Riesling develop over years, so there's no benefit in cellaring it. Store it upright in a cool, dark place until you open it. Once opened, reseal it, keep it refrigerated, and finish it within a few days while the fruit is still fresh.