Is that a bouquet of roses or freshly picked fruit you smell? Neither: it's a riesling wine. This popular white wine originates from Europe but is still a highly misunderstood variation. Most people associate riesling with sweet flavors that come from fruits such as nectarines, peaches, apples, apricots and pears to create a fruity and floral aroma. Riesling is one of the most versatile wines around.

While the exact origin is uncertain, most people believe riesling white wine began in Germany along the Rhine River. Named after a particular white grape called Riesling, the wine's first documented instance was in the 1400s. Today, it's still the main variety of wine produced in German-speaking regions of Europe.

The ideal environment is a cool climate with a slate soil because the grapes for this aromatic white wine ripen earlier than others. The grape-picking time determines the level of sweetness, as fully ripe grapes tend to be sweeter than normal or late-harvested grapes. Producers can also freeze the grapes and then process them to create ice wine.

Is it sweet? Is it dry? It's both. Riesling wine can be sweet or dry, subtle or strong, light or full. It's a chameleon wine of sorts, as its flavor profile depends on where it's grown. One overriding characteristic of riesling's flavor profile is that it is highly acidic.

When it comes to pairing food with riesling, the spicier the better. So pour a glass and have sweet riesling with your spicy Indian curry. Or try a dry riesling with your grilled fish. Among all the varieties of wine, riesling is the most versatile. Maybe it's actually created with pure alchemy. Who knows? So raise a glass and thank the versatility gods for creating a wine you can drink with every kind of food. Shop Driz online or see if we've made it to your city. Click these links to search for Drizly in your city, and look for liquor stores on Drizly near you.