Kung Fu Girl Riesling Review
If you’re a fan of sweet wines, you might be surprised by Kung Fu Girl Riesling, an unusual Asian-inspired dry wine that won’t disappoint.
When you think of a Riesling, what imagine comes up in your imagination? Most people will immediately think of German wines with their off-dry flavor that tingles the palate.
However, what do you think of American Rieslings? After all, that’s exactly what Kung Fu Girl is.
American Riesling is synonymous with sickly sweetness that isn’t to everyone’s taste.
However, Kung Fu Girl Riesling goes in a totally different direction.
This is no conventional wine, but it’s becoming a firm favorite among unconventional drinkers.
Not A Traditional American Riesling
If you’ve ever tried an American Riesling before, you’ll know that usually they’re very thick and sweet.
While this may be to some people’s taste, it won’t suit every palate. This is why American Rieslings have such a mixed reputation amongst wine connoisseurs.
However, Kung Fu Girl might surprise you. Why? Because it’s a surprisingly close copy of a classic German Riesling, completely betraying its American heritage.
Silky smooth, with a mineral and lime balance, this wine is bursting with tart and zingy flavors that you just can’t ignore.
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What Should I Know About Kung Fu Girl Wine?
Kung Fu Girl Riesling 2015 vintage is a 100% Riesling wine produced in Washington State at the Evergreen Vineyard, in the Ancient Lakes AVA.
This tipple comes from Charles Smith Wines, a thoroughly unconventional winemaker, and their unusual approach is brought to the market in the form of a dry Riesling.
Kung Fu Girl Riesling 2015 was inspired by a martial arts movie! Charles Smith himself was watching a famous fight scene one night while eating a Chinese takeout when he suddenly was hit with the perfect idea.
He would create the perfect white wine for pairing with Chinese and Asian food. The result of his inspiration was Kung Fu Girl.
Delivering exotic fruity flavors of apricot, mandarin orange and white peace, this dry Riesling shimmers with freshness and energy, while crushed minerals lie at its heart.
The result is a surprisingly satisfying and pure drink that leaves a fresh, long finish on the palate.
The Evergreen Vineyard
Although a high-quality Riesling usually comes with a high price tag, this wine with its 12% alcohol content comes from Washington State, where today’s most affordable Rieslings originate.
The Ancient Lakes AVA in the Columbia Valley (named for the 35 lakes which are spread across this surprisingly arid area) is one of the most recent subregions to begin growing Riesling grapes.
Of all the vineyards here, the Evergreen Vineyard has earned a strong reputation for the quality of its grapes. Kung Fu Girl uses these fine grapes to produce its delightful wine.
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Kung Fu Girl – How Does It Look?
Before you even open the bottle to pour a glass, you can see that this wine is something a little unique and special. Its bottle is beautifully designed with a stylish label that really catches your eye.
It certainly captures the essence of this Asian-inspired wine perfectly with its Japanese-style imagery in a strong monochromatic color scheme that virtually leaps off the shelf.
Even if you aren’t a fan of Rieslings, you still might be tempted to try this wine out thanks to its lovely packaging.
So, what happens when you actually open that bottle and pour out your first glass?
As you’d expect from a Riesling, Kung Fu Girl has a pale-yellow shade, although there’s a little light green if you hold it up to the light.
If you had to compare it to anything, it would be similar to the color of straw. It looks appetizing and aesthetically pleasing – just perfect for tasting.
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Aromas And Flavors
Of course, good looks aren’t everything – the true quality of a wine can’t be determined until you actually smell and taste it. So, let’s get on with the testing process!
As soon as you breathe in the aromas of this Riesling, you’ll detect floral notes together with the fruitiness of peach and green apple. Underneath this powerful and tart aroma, you’re sure to find a strong citrus hit of lime and lemon that perfectly complements the original sweetness.
Even from the nose you can tell that this is going to be a light and enjoyable tipple that will work perfectly with strong flavors.
When you take your first sip, you’ll really be impressed by the powerful punch that this wine delivers. Lively and acidic on the palate, you’ll detect the clean and crisp apple that you already noticed on the nose, together with those potent lime and citrus flavors without any difficulty.
On its long finish, you’ll note that the fruit flavors turn a little more tart with an extra tropical hint that adds even more complexity to the delicious flavor.
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Although this is a dry Riesling, it’s surprisingly sweet. Yes, there’s a high sugar content but the sweetness is more to do with the juicy and tart fruit flavor.
You’ll really need to store this bottle in a very cold place to truly appreciate the zinginess of the taste. Also, you should drink it straight away – leave it open for too long and it’ll lose a lot of its acidity.
Perfect Food Pairings
As you might imagine, considering the source of inspiration for this beverage, this wine pairs perfectly with Chinese or Thai food, duck, pork and seafood.
It’s a definite go-to choice if you’re eating anything spicy – Mexican, Indian, even Lebanese… the list goes on. Basically, if you’re eating anything with a strong flavor, you’re going to love the way this Riesling simply cuts right through it with its crisp acidity.
This is definitely an ideal wine for enjoying during the summer months. Just imagine sitting on the deck enjoying a spicy barbeque while you sip an icy cool glass of the sweet and silky wine! It’s the ultimate treat at the end of a long, hot day.
Have you tried this wine? Would you recommend it? Let us know what you think in the comments section!
