What Kind of Wine Is Relax Riesling?
Relax Riesling is a German semi-sweet white wine from the Riesling varietal. It opens with floral fragrances complemented with notes from green and citrus fruits. In the mouth, ripe tropical fruits emerge, showcasing the wine’s richness. Rieslings are known for their refreshing acidity, and Relax is no exception. Its acidic nature washes away the overall sweetness, leading to a creamy finish.
Germany produces the highest concentration of world-class Rieslings. Whether dry and steely, medium-sweet and floral, or lusciously sweet, German winemakers’ mastery of this varietal is undeniable. Furthermore, Germany has a cool continental climate. Summers are wet, and rainfall is low in autumn during the final stage of grape ripening. The long, cool ripening period gives the grapes time to reach sugar ripeness while retaining their acidity. In this way, crispy but sweet Rieslings, just like Relax Riesling, are born.
Schmitt Söhne Relax Riesling Review
- Winery — Schmitt Söhne Wines
- Country/Region — Germany, Mosel
- Type — German Riesling
- Aroma — Honeysuckle, Rose, Pear, Apple, Lime, Lemon Zest
- Grapes — Riesling
- Taste — Peach, Apricot, Pineapple, Mango, Banana, Flint, Wet Stones, Petrol, Butter
- Alcohol Content — 9.5%
- Sugar — Semi-Sweet
- Pairing — Seafood, Fried Chicken, Spicy Asian, Salads
For its attractive price point, in addition to its ripeness and crispy personality, Relax Riesling is excellent value. Its Riesling grapes grow in the vicinity of the Mosel River and encompass all the structural characteristics of the varietal. From delicate floral fragrances to jammy exotic fruit flavors, wine enthusiasts are in for a wild ride as they savor Relax Riesling’s ripeness and elegance.
Tasting Notes
Relax Riesling wine is sweet, but refreshingly crisp. A fruity bouquet of honeysuckle and rose elevates as the nose closes in the glass while hints of pears and lemons complete the aromatic profile. The delicious palate displays flavors of pineapple and peach, as the natural acidity offsets the ripeness. The finish is long and creamy. Relax is a great Riesling, full of delightful aromas and jammy flavors.
Appearance
Relax Riesling is attractive and eye-catching. It starts with a pale gold color. But as the semi-opaque center opens near the rim, a bright lemon color surfaces. The legs are long and watery, while the light tears bestow a compelling character to the wine’s appearance. Relax Riesling is sure to draw wine enthusiasts in as soon as they take a glimpse at the wine’s golden tones.
Aroma
Relax Riesling begins with gentle floral fragrances of honeysuckle and dried rose. Then, after a few swirls, an abundance of green and citrus fruit aromas appear. Pear and apple combined with lime give a wonderful shape to the aromatic bouquet. Relax has an intense and steely nose which acts in great contrast to the jammy palate.
Taste
This is where Relax Riesling gets interesting. In the mouth, the wine shows a completely different character than in the nose, as its inherent sweetness and ripeness dominate. Uplifting flavors of peach, apricot, and pineapple define the palate with an endless jamminess. Additionally, subtle touches of lusciously sweet honey are well-balanced by minerality, as the Riesling’s crispy varietal nature appears. An overall creaminess is also felt as the wine flows into the mouth, adding extra structure. Relax Riesling is medium-to-full-bodied and superbly palatable.
Finish
Relax Riesling has a buttery but refreshing finish. The apple and apricot flavors stay present while a pronounced acidic nature offsets the sweetness and prepares the mouth for another pleasing sip. The quality finish proves that German Rieslings are very complicated and crafted with passion and dedication.
Rating
My review of Relax Riesling has re-iterated that the wine is palatable and complex. It is sweet with an intensely aromatic nose, and it showcases plenty of ripe stone and exotic fruit flavors. Also, the smooth finish and the pleasing acidity are refreshing as they uplift the experience for wine enthusiasts. It is a ‘one-of-a-kind’ wine, taken directly from the finest appellations of Mosel. Relax Riesling is about being present in the moment, and it is a solid wine choice for every occasion, taste, and personality.
Relax Riesling Food Pairing
Relax Riesling is delicious on its own and can be the perfect beverage after an exhausting day at the office or on a warm summer afternoon. That said, it pairs well with a variety of foods, from grilled seafood and poultry to spicy Asian dishes or fresh French salads. A plate of grilled calamari served with lemon wedges will elevate Relax Riesling’s citrus flavors to new heights. A fresh Salade Paysanne (peasant salad) complements the Riesling’s crispiness, while a spicy Kung Pao chicken (fried chicken in a rice bowl) balances the stone fruit background.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Makes Relax Riesling?
Relax Riesling is produced by Relax Wines in California and is part of a larger parent company, Schmitt Sohne USA. Founded in 1919 as a regional operation, today the company sells wine worldwide. By 1934, their wines became more widespread in Germany, but it would not be until 1984 when Relax became a truly international wine company. On top of that, Schmitt Söhne is considered the leading importer of German Riesling to the United States. Though originally based in Germany, it now has nine locations worldwide to manage imports. Consequently, the company takes special pride in its Riesling, as this is where its roots lie. They focus on quality picked grapes and customer satisfaction.
How Is Relax Riesling Made?
From fine vineyards of the Mosel wine region, the Riesling grapes ripen in slate and mineral soil. Their harvest occurs when they exhibit optimal taste and ripeness. After harvest, the grapes are de-stemmed, crushed, and pressed to release their juice. Then, this juice is placed in stainless steel tanks to undergo cold fermentation. In this way, the final wine manages to conserve its natural acidity and obtain a perfect balance that is refreshingly crisp. When the fermentation is over, the wine is removed from the vessels, filtered from sediments, and bottled.
Where Is Relax Riesling Made?
Relax Riesling originates in Mosel-Saar-Ruwer (Mosel River), Germany. The region of Mosel includes the River Mosel, from where it joins the River Rhine to the German border and its two small tributaries, the Saar and the Ruwer. Riesling grapes dominate production.
Saar and Ruwer are cooler regions and have great appellations, representing only a tiny percentage of the overall plantings in the Mosel. The best wines are typically light in body and alcohol but high in acidity, expressing a steely character. Sweet wines are also produced, just like Relax Riesling, but in even smaller numbers. It is worth mentioning that Relax Riesling is produced in the United States as well.
How to Serve Relax Riesling?
Ideally, the wine is served well-chilled at forty-three to forty-five degrees Fahrenheit (six to eight degrees Celsius). An hour before serving, take Relax, wrap it in a wet paper towel, and place it inside the fridge. Then, remove it and serve in standard-sized white wine glasses. The large surface of the glass provides aeration to the wine. As the air comes into contact with the wine surface, the aromatic and flavor intensity surfaces. Get ready to experience Relax’s ripe stone fruits, creamy structure, and crisp acidity.
How Much Does Relax Riesling Cost?
Relax Riesling does not have one set price. However, it is affordable, considering how fabulous a Riesling it is. Relax Riesling prices range from $9 to $19, depending on the vendor, and therefore it is purchasable without cost-considerations. Consumers do not need to think about it – they should just run and buy the wine. Very few Rieslings, produced from the prestigious Mosel in Germany, are offered at such a rock-bottom price!
How Long Does Relax Riesling Last?
Relax is a semi-sweet Riesling, and as such, it is suitable for bottle aging. In reality, Riesling is one of the most long-lived white wines. It is renowned for its ability to mature for decades in the bottle and yet taste surprisingly fresh. When aged, Rieslings develop flavors of honey and toast but still retain their invigorating acid nature.
Relax should be sealed with a cork and stored in a stable environment with temperatures of fifty to sixty degrees Fahrenheit (ten to fifteen degrees Celsius) and a degree of humidity. Direct sunlight or artificial light is not beneficial as it will damage the wine by messing around with its yeasts, responsible for a successful maturation. The environment should be odor-free as odors find their way inside the bottle and affect the wine’s quality by giving it unpleasant flavors. Relax Riesling can age for three to eight years without losing its fruitiness and refreshing acidity.
How Many Calories Does Relax Riesling Have?
Relax has a suitable calorie density for a German Riesling. There are 24 calories in 1 fluid ounce of the wine, amounting to 120 per serving. The calorie breakdown is 0 grams of fat, 0 grams of sodium, 6g grams of total carbohydrate, 0 grams of protein, and a whopping of 40-44 grams of total sugars. Consequently, consumers on a diet need to monitor Relax Riesling calories. Relax Riesling alcohol content is 9.5% per 750ml bottle, a standard alcoholic concentration for semi-sweet white wines.
Conclusion
For its attractive price point, in addition to its ripeness and crispy personality, Relax Riesling is excellent value. Its Riesling grapes grow in the vicinity of the Mosel River and encompass all the structural characteristics of the varietal. From delicate floral fragrances to jammy exotic fruit flavors, wine enthusiasts are in for a wild ride as they savor Relax Riesling’s ripeness and elegance.
