Riesling Kabinett Anytime & Anywhere – 2025

Riesling Kabinett Anytime & Anywhere. Off-dry, light, from the Nahe.

Riesling Kabinett is an off-dry, light white wine from Anette Closheim. Not bone-dry Riesling, not a sweet dessert wine, not a heavy meal companion.

Riesling Kabinett is an off-dry Riesling from Anette Closheim winery on the Nahe, which remains pleasantly light with a good nine percent alcohol by volume. Off-dry means: a noticeable, but restrained residual sweetness, which is balanced by fresh acidity. In the glass, it smells of peach, apricot and a hint of lime. Behind this lies the typical Nahe minerality, almost like wet stone. A wine for everyday life, not for a grand occasion.

Off-dry is not sweet, but balanced

The subtle sweetness and the Riesling acidity are in balance here. This is precisely what makes the appeal of the off-dry style. On the palate, the wine is juicy, with yellow fruits and a clear, citrusy freshness on the finish. The low alcohol content makes it seem almost weightless. The texture is juicy, the finish rather short and inviting to drink than long and deep. Those who expect a strict, bone-dry Riesling will find the residual sweetness too fruity. However, those who like acidity and fruit in balance will find an uncomplicated companion here. This is deliberately not a loud, powerful wine. This very lightness is its strength.

The wine for spicy cuisine

Off-dry Riesling is the classic partner for spice. The residual sweetness cushions chili, ginger and curry paste, where dry wines often clash sharply. Serve it with a green Thai curry, pad Thai or Indian butter chicken. It also goes well with sushi, a spicier vegetable stir-fry or a mango and avocado salad. Try it also with fried spring rolls with a sweet and spicy dip. Solo, it tastes good on the terrace, well chilled at about eight degrees. Our tip: Keep it cool, but not ice-cold, otherwise the delicate fruit will disappear. A classic is also sushi with a little wasabi, whose spiciness the wine elegantly smooths out. It also cuts a fine figure as an aperitif before dinner. It is less suitable as a wine with strong cheese or a heavy stew, for which it lacks the punch. Something dry like the herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc plays to its strengths better here.

Kabinett from the Nahe, lightly harvested

Kabinett is the lightest category of German Prädikat wines. The grapes are harvested early, at moderate ripeness, which explains the low alcohol content and lively acidity. A portion of the natural grape sugar remains unfermented, contributing to the off-dry character. Anette Closheim runs her winery on the Nahe, a region between the Rhine and the Hunsrück with barren, mineral soils. This terroir produces Rieslings with clarity and tension. Anette Closheim is one of the younger winemakers in the region and represents a modern, approachable style. The name "Anytime & Anywhere" says it all: a wine that needs no occasion. The screw cap underlines this, as it can be opened without a corkscrew. The off-dry style has a long tradition on the Nahe and Moselle, long before dry wines became fashionable. A second, dry house style can be found in the Riesling mit Freunden.

The everyday companion

This Riesling Kabinett is made for uncomplicated moments. On the balcony after work, at a picnic in the park, or as a bottle to bring to dinner with friends. Thanks to its low alcohol content, even a second glass remains light. It is suitable as an uncomplicated gift bottle or as the first wine of a long evening. Even those who usually avoid off-dry wines will find a good introduction here. It is not intended for long storage in the cellar; it wants to be drunk young and fresh. Drink it best within the first two years. This is precisely what makes it a reliable wine for everyday life.

A light Riesling that goes well with spicy food as well as with an evening on the balcony.