Blue Riesling

/ The second best way to take the sting out of a spicy dish is to drink something a little sweet. Given your food preferences, your best choice is probably riesling, the grape responsible for Germany's legendary white wines. Here is a reasonably priced riesling The Nose has enjoyed over the years: S.A. Prum Blue Slate riesling: a classic German riesling at a great price.

German Made Simple/ If you don't know Spatlese from Auslese, you can still get a great Riesling by remembering a few easy names such as Blue Slate. Those of you who won't be able to remember the term kabinett five minutes after you finish this column are not necessarily out of luck. Raimund Prum, of S.A. Prum in the Moselle, understands your anxiety about German labels. Prum owns vines in some of the greatest vineyards in Germany, perched on steep, sun-trapping slopes high above the Moselle River, including Wehlener Sonnenuhr, named after the sundial that his great-great-grandfather Jodocus Prum constucted in that famous vineyard in 1842. And one of these days, after you've developed an appreciation for great Riesling, you may remember the name of this vineyard, planted on blue slate, which is believed to impart a distinctive stony flavor to the wines. In the meantime, you can probably remember the term Blue Slate, which is the name of an off-dry kabinett-level Riesling that had its debut in this country with the '03 vintage, and risk the $15 to give it a try.

/ On the drier side of the kabinett, thus with more body, this shows distinctive lime, slate and citrus notes, along with white pepper. Firm and focused.

/ This medium-to full-bodied Riesling, on the dry side, with a fair amount of muscularity and heft (it's 11.5% alcohol). Aromas of honey, apple and citrus lead into flavors that emphasize baked apples and spice, finishing long and with a slightly oily texture.

Prum Blue 2011 - Food & Wine/ Lively, citrusy German Riesling Pairing for Crispy Fish with Sweet & Sour Sauce

/ The Blue Slate Riesling, a QmP, 100% estate-bottled, hand harvested Riesling, was my favorite amongst the dryer offerings... [It is] stainless steel fermented and has fresh fruit flavors with apricot, peach, and a hint of grapefruit predominant on the nose.

Prum Blue Riesling - 89 Points, Wine Spectator/ A dryish style, with peach, grapefruit and spice flavors. Well-balanced, turning slightly more austere on the finish, yet has fine length.