Updated April 2026
There is no official best sweet Riesling. Riesling is a grape. Sweetness is residual sugar, if labeled — not a TTB type. German Prädikat words (Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese) are harvest / must-weight talk. A Spätlese can still be trocken. Typical US table lots sit near 12% Official brand residual-sugar grams unused as a crown.
Related: Riesling sweetness levels, sweet Moscato, what is a sweet wine.
Harvest vs residual sugar
| Language | Note |
|---|---|
| Riesling | Not a sweetness class |
| Prädikat | Not guaranteed RS |
| Trocken / dry | Read the word |
| Typical table 12% | Neck |
| 5 oz at 12% | From labeled ABV |
Read residual sugar and the Prädikat word. Pair: semi-sweet red.
Sources
- 27 CFR Part 4. German Prädikat is must weight, not residual sugar. Typical 12%
- Official brand RS unused. NIAAA December 2025.
- NIAAA one drink