The best German wines on Grand Cayman are available to buy at Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits. With six brick-and-mortar locations on Grand Cayman and online ordering and free delivery, locals and tourists have no good excuse for abstaining from their favorite refreshments!
Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits is known for an incredible selection of high-quality domestic and international beers, wines, and spirits. We offer free delivery to locations throughout Grand Cayman, making it safe and easy to keep the party going or plan for important events. Keep in mind, though, that no sales or deliveries occur on Sundays.
Riesling – The Iconic German Wine
Riesling is one of the most iconic German wines, providing incredible fruit flavors that burst onto your tongue, a bit of tartness, and impressive aromatics. White wine lovers will relish the light-bodied flavorful refreshment of Riesling wines.
Some Riesling wines have ginger and honey flavors caused by “noble rot” (botrytis) of the grapes on the vine. This fungus causes the grapes to shrivel like raisins and concentrates the flavor and sugar into higher potency.
German winemakers reject oak aging, preferring to promote the fresh zing of the grape, which stays fresh even as bottles age for decades.
Riesling wines can be sweet or dry. Many winemakers prefer to stop the fermentation early to balance the acidity of Riesling grapes.
This sweet edge of Riesling wines helps when pairing them with meals. You can counter spice or elevate fat, bringing the menu to an entirely new level.
Understanding the Label
The labels on German wines are full of information to guide your purchase, but you have to understand the terms!
German wines are classified by law, based upon the ripeness of the grapes, to identify the level of sweetness. The Prädikat system designates German Rieslings as:
- Kabinett: The first level and usually the lowest in alcohol
- Spätlese: Meaning “late harvest,” the grapes must be harvested at least one week after the main harvest has started
- Auslese: Meaning “select harvest,” but there is no requirement for late harvesting. This designation covers the broadest range of wine styles.
- Beerenauslese (BA): Meaning “select harvest of berries,” this late harvest wine is affected by some botrytis and is typically very sweet and rich
- Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA): Meaning “select dry berry harvest,” these dessert wine grapes are usually affected by significant amounts of botrytis, giving them a very sweet and intensely rich flavor
Another excellent tip for assessing the sweetness of Riesling is to look at the alcohol by volume (ABV) percentage. Lower alcohol percentages are an indication of sweeter wines. Higher alcohol percentages indicate that more sugar was used during fermentation, causing the wine to be drier.
Some Riesling wines have a sweetness indicator on the back of the bottles to help consumers make informed purchases. If you need help exploring the world of German wines, speak to a member of our staff. We’re always happy to help ensure every glass is delicious.
Try These Riesling Options:
- Prum Essence Riesling – medium-dry with a 10.5% ABV
- Blue Fish Sweet Riesling – medium-dry with a 10% ABV
- 2016 Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett
- 2015 Schloss Johannisberger Rotlack Kabinett Feinherb Riesling
Wine enthusiasts on Grand Cayman can buy and enjoy German wines from Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits. Visit one of our locations for in-person browsing and guidance, or order online for free delivery.
