Riesling is hands-down the best food wine in the world. Its balance of intense acidity, minerality, and fruit makes it an especially good match for spicy foods and the mix of ethnic flavors popular in the West.
CUISINES
Almost all Asian (Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and Indian); Southwestern; barbecue
SPECIFIC FOODS
Barbecued ribs and chicken
Cheese (especially asiago, cheddar, gorgonzola, gouda, gruyère)
Chicken
Chicken satay
Corned beef
Crab
Cured meats (salami of all kinds)
Dolmas
Eggplant
Eggs (deviled, frittatas, omelets, quiches)
Enchiladas (chicken and seafood)
Fried chicken
Green vegetables
Grilled fruit (apricots, peaches, pineapple)
Guacamole
Ham
Indian curries (chicken, seafood)
Onion rings
Plantains
Pork (especially pulled pork)
Root vegetables (rutabagas, turnips, yams)
Salads
Sausages (especially pork and poultry)
Shellfish of all kinds (lobster, prawns, scallops)
Sushi (especially with pickled ginger)
Tandoori chicken
Tomato chutney
Veal
RECIPES PAIRED WITH RIESLING:
• BONE-DRY RIESLING
Braised Belgian Endive au Gratin
Potato, Leek, and Mushroom Gratin
Chicken Stew with Olives and Lemon
Halibut Stew with Olives and Lemon
• BARELY OFF-DRY RIESLING
Egg and cheese dishes
Asparagus and Prosciutto Strata
Salads
Shiitake-Ginger Pasta Salad with Radicchio
Chopped Endive Salad with Smoked Salmon
Rice Salad with Ham and Tomatoes
Curried Dishes
Curried Mussels with Oven Frites
Pan-Roasted Fish with Thai Curry Sauce
More Seafood
Salmon Cakes with Cilantro-Ginger Aioli
Sushi
Southwestern And Mexican
Chicken Enchiladas with Salsa Verde
• FAIRLY SWEET RIESLING
Salads and vegetables
Beet and Fennel Salad with Fried Capers
Braised Carrots with Orange and Capers
Southeast Asian
Chinese
Sweet-and-sour chicken-apricot skewers
Best-Ever Chinese Chicken Salad
Soup and salad