With summer temperatures already baking Beijing, red wine sales slow down as most wine lovers adjust their palates to light and crisp whites.

Among the four biggest white wine varieties, Riesling is the most interesting. With relatively low alcohol levels and lively acidity, it’s a perfect wine to enjoy on hot summer evenings.

Rieslings are most typical to Germany, although neighboring Alsace in France, as well as parts of New Zealand, Australia and the U.S., all produce some amazing varieties. Often mistakenly regarded only as a sweet or semi-sweet wine, Riesling is capable of producing a wide range of flavors, reaching from delicate and light bone dry Rieslings (Germany) to pronounced and zesty ones (Australia).

Try an Australian Riesling from Clare and/or Eden valley. Wolf Blass, from this area, produces some great Rieslings available from ASC. The key in selecting your Riesling is to inquire of its fruitiness and sweetness. The hotter the weather, the drier the Riesling you want to have.