What Kind of Wine Is Barefoot Riesling?
Barefoot Riesling is a fruity semi-sweet white wine from California. It starts with honeysuckle aromas and moves on to honey, tangerine, and peach flavors. The zesty acidity offsets the general ripeness and invigorates, while the finish is creamy and savory, as a hint of orange blossom graces it. In general, high-quality Rieslings from California show high acidity and sweet stone fruit flavors, such as peach and apricot.
The reason for this has to do with the intense heat of the region. With continuous sun exposure, the Riesling grapes can increase their sugar concentration to such an extent that they give dynamic white wines. Sure, Californian Rieslings may not be as refreshing or as perfectly balanced as those from Mosel in Germany, but they get the job done. In fact, they’re perfect for barbecues!
Barefoot Riesling Review
- Winery — Barefoot Cellars
- Country/Region — United States, California, Modesto
- Type — Californian Riesling
- Aroma — Honeysuckle, Pineapple, Mango, Banana, Lime Zest
- Grapes — Riesling
- Taste — Peach, Apricot, Nectarine, Mandarin, Orange Blossom, Butter
- Alcohol Content — 11.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Seafood, Crab, Roast Chicken, Spaghetti Napolitano, Chinese
Tasty and easy-going, Barefoot Riesling is pleasing. It may not come from the Mosel, but it is a fresh Californian white and very good value. Fruit-forward with an abundance of stone and exotic fruit flavors and an orange blossom finish, Barefoot Riesling is a delightful wine. A chance is all that it asks. So if you crave fun, you know what you have to do. Without a second thought, give this Riesling the love it deserves!
Tasting Notes
Barefoot is an intense and juicy Riesling. It opens with floral fragrances and aromas of exotics, indicating its rich personality from the start. As the wine flows into the mouth, flavors of stone and citrus fruits combine with honey and deliver an immersive wine-drinking experience. The acidity is nearly perfect and balances the sweetness. Approachable and savory, Barefoot Riesling wine is engaging.
Appearance
Barefoot Riesling has a medium lemon color, with a very gratifying look. The middle layer is translucent, as expected, with long and watery legs. The rim, after a few vigorous swirls, opens and develops into a lemon-green hue. Riesling grapes have a low color concentration, especially if they have not undergone maturation. As a consequence, Barefoot Riesling’s elegant appearance is vibrant and attractive.
Aroma
Sweet aromas of honeysuckle emerge as the bottle uncorks, setting the atmosphere. Afterward, an abundance of exotic fruits like mango, pineapple, and banana take over. Later notes of lemon and lime zest surface too and complete the aromatic bouquet. In a few seconds, Barefoot Riesling showcases a powerful nose. It is so dynamic that it surpasses even the most aromatic white grape varietals. Wow!
Taste
Multiple stone fruit flavors define the Barefoot Riesling palate. Peach, nectarine, and mandarin notes contribute ripeness to this medium-to-full-bodied Riesling, as a hint of fresh lemon rounds the mouthfeel. The acidity is crisp and refreshing and helps wine fans clean their mouth from the sweetness. Fruity and savory, Barefoot Riesling has a compelling tasting profile. It is among the most pleasant whites, at least as California Rieslings are concerned.
Finish
A medium and creamy finish concludes the tasting profile in an exceptional way. The exotic fruit flavors remain present on the tongue, with a hint of orange. In this way, Barefoot Riesling’s fruity personality lingers to the end. This remarkable finish ensures wine enthusiasts find this fun California beverage charming to the last drop.
Rating
Barefoot Riesling encompasses nearly everything a wine fan could ask from a semi-sweet white. It is delicious, balanced, and refreshing. Its unstoppable lusciousness has so many aromatic and flavor layers that it is unbelievable. On top of that, Barefoot is a Riesling with gentle floral fragrances of honeysuckle. That, amid the overall ripeness, makes it a chic wine. You cannot possibly go wrong with this one. From the vineyard to the glass, Barefoot Riesling is a fun and accessible white. And it also displays a well-appreciated complexity.
Barefoot Riesling Food Pairing
Barefoot Riesling is the perfect match for a prawn or seafood cocktail. Prawns, for instance, have a slight touch of sweetness, and as such, they make a good pairing with the wine. Fresh crab and oysters, unsurprisingly, work well too.
On top of that, roast chicken blends well with the stone fruit and orange blossom flavors, especially if the bird has been marinated with orange zest before cooking. A plate of pasta Napolitano or Chinese street food combines incredibly with a glass of Barefoot Riesling as well. Chinese takeout is often salty and fried. Therefore, high-acidic wines like Rieslings are preferred. Next time you order Chinese ‘in’ to watch the latest sitcom on Netflix, pair it with Barefoot Riesling. What a memorable experience!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Makes Barefoot Riesling?
Barefoot Riesling is a product of Barefoot Cellars. Located in Modesto, California, the company was founded in 1965 by California winemaker Davis Bynum. The inspiration behind the winery name is the traditional method of crushing grapes barefoot. In 1986, entrepreneurs Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey renamed the company Barefoot Cellars and created the iconic footprint label. They believe in the conviction that, following your heart, there is no limit to how far the vine will grow and also that the wine should not be taken too seriously.
Today, the winemaker of Barefoot Cellars is Jennifer Wall. Her wines have received over 2,000 medals and several accolades. Barefoot Cellars belong to E. & J. Gallo Winery, a leading provider of California wines in the United States and all over the world.
How Is Barefoot Riesling Made?
The Riesling grapes need to be harvested based on their optimal taste and ripeness. After harvest, the grapes are de-stemmed, crushed, and pressed to release their juice. Afterward, this juice is placed in stainless steel tanks to undergo cold fermentation. In doing so, the final wine manages to preserve its natural acidity and obtain a precise balance that is refreshingly stimulating. When the fermentation is over, Barefoot Riesling is removed from the vessels, filtered from yeasts, and bottled.
Where Is Barefoot Riesling Made?
Barefoot Riesling is from California State. California is right where the vast majority of the American wine industry breathes and produces celebrated wines due to the Mediterranean-like climate and state-of-the-art wineries. Combinations of warmth, bright sun, and cooling influences from the Atlantic Ocean and fog mean that California winemakers deliver a diverse range of wine styles, immensely appreciated by wine enthusiasts. In this way, fruit-forward wines, such as Barefoot Riesling, are possible.
How to Serve Barefoot Riesling?
Barefoot Riesling is served best in medium-sized white wine glasses. The large surface of the glass gives the wine the necessary aeration. As the air comes into contact with the wine surface, it helps Barefoot Riesling elevate its aromatic and flavor intensity. The wine requires chilling at forty to fifty degrees Fahrenheit (seven to ten degrees Celsius). Three hours before serving, place it inside the fridge wrapped around a wet paper towel. Afterward, feel free to uncork this bottling and relish the taste of crispy nectarines!
To maintain this cool temperature, place it in an ice bucket or wine cooler. The bucket should be filled three-quarters full with equal quantities of ice and water so that iced water surrounds the bottle. The water is then able to transfer the heat from the bottle to melt the ice. Air acts as an insulator, and the bottle chills. Remember, though, that chilling the wine for too long might conceal its flavors.
How Much Does Barefoot Riesling Cost?
Barefoot Riesling has a budget-friendly price point. It is so approachable that anyone can purchase it. Barefoot Riesling price range from $7 to $11, depending on the wine merchant. Consumers should not overthink it but go ahead and try this savory California Riesling, which has the right fruit-filled notes with perfect pitch. They will not regret it!
How Long Does Barefoot Riesling Last?
Barefoot Riesling is a fruit-forward white wine, like most Rieslings from the United States. As such, it cannot benefit from bottle aging. It has to be consumed quickly, within six months from the date of bottling. Otherwise, as long as it stays unopened, its delicate blossom aromas and juicy apple flavors start to lose their freshness. After all, fresh Rieslings lack the structural components required to withstand aging, like a high alcohol concentration. The longer Barefoot Riesling stays in the pantry, the greater the chance that its lively character will decline, turning it eventually into an uninspiring white.
How Many Calories Does Barefoot Riesling Have?
Barefoot Riesling has a low-caloric density. That said, the wine is neither carb-free nor sugar-free. There are about 24 calories in 1 fluid ounce of the beverage, equating to a total of 120 calories per serving. And the total calorie breakdown is 0 grams of fats, 7 grams of sodium, 4 grams of total carbohydrate, 0 grams of protein, and 2 grams of total sugars. As a consequence, Barefoot Riesling calories need monitoring. Consumers, however, can enjoy the wine daily as long as they do not overdo it. Barefoot Riesling alcohol content sits at 8% per 750ml bottle, which is very low even for a light-to-medium-bodied Riesling.
Conclusion
Tasty and easy-going, Barefoot Riesling is pleasing. It may not come from the Mosel, but it is a fresh Californian white and very good value. Fruit-forward with an abundance of stone and exotic fruit flavors and an orange blossom finish, Barefoot Riesling is a delightful wine. A chance is all that it asks. So if you crave fun, you know what you have to do. Without a second thought, give this Riesling the love it deserves!
