Riesling

Riesling is one of those underrated grapes that always seems to be the bridesmaid. It remains so, despite the decades of evangelism and advocacy of its devotees, countless wine merchants and almost every wine writer in the world. Its original home is Germany, Austria and Alsace, but it has since found global favour in the cooler vineyard regions of Australia, New Zealand, the US and even Chile. It is often a bit lower in alcohol and sometimes (but not so commonly any more) a little sweeter; but with zingy, bright, mouthwatering and tooth-chattering natural acidity, you have a grape that makes wines so perfect for a huge array of food styles that it's no wonder people make such a noise about it. And from a winemakers's point of view, like Chardonnay, Riesling is a wonderfully expressive grape, clearly showing the elements of vineyard and climatic aspects of where it's grown. Even better, because of years of under-appreciation, it is still sensational value for money.