Harvest
All the grapes for the Ridgepoint Wines 2003 Dry Riesling were harvested from our escarpment estate vineyards on Cherry Avenue above Vineland (Niagara Region, Ontario) on October 31, 2003 at 21.6° Brix.

Winemaking
The grapes for our Ridgepoint Wines 2003 Dry Riesling were crushed and destemmed, then cold-settled for 24 hours in stainless steel tanks. The juice was inoculated with a yeast selected to preserve true varietal flavours (especially aromatics), and cool-fermented. The wine was held at low temperature post-ferment to stabilize and naturally reduce acidity.

Analysis

Alcohol/Volume: 13%	Residual sugar: < 3 g/L
Dryness (Sugar code): 1

Winemaker's notes
This Riesling shows bright, pale, green-straw colour in the glass, and delivers typical floral, mineral, and grapefruit aromas. If served lightly chilled, the wine offers fine mineral flavours, with a hint of oiliness like Cousin Gewürztraminer from Alsace. The alcohol component gives a warming mouthfeel, along with a bigger than expected body, kept in balance with a racy, citrus-peel finish. This estate-bottled Riesling well reflects the character of the unique Riesling clone Ridgepoint has planted, and the contribution that our 'bench terroir' can make to a traditional wine style.

Food pairings
This excellent 'food wine' will complement a range of dishes, from pan-fried trout to grilled or sautéed sausage. Match by spicing and sauce ... savory to pungent ... rather than by colour of meat.

Commentary
"If you're lucky enough to be travelling down Niagara way, [a Riesling] I can heartily recommend, available only at the retail store, is Ridgepoint Wines Riesling 2003 ($14.95). Very ripe and almost off-dry, it shows a nice oily weight and flavours of red apple, juicy peach and grapefruit."
- Beppi Crosariol, Globe and Mail, 9 October 2004