MY better half is a red only drinker. She used to drink white once upon a time but red became her favoured tipple.

Now, apart from a sticky sweet wine or a bottle of decent fizz, she doesn’t touch a drop of white.

All the more for me, you might think. But the problem is, Mrs Tipples compensates for her dislike of white wine by liking red wine too much.

I seldom get a look in with the reds, other than a tasting amount in the bottom of my glass.

As an antidote to this problem, I have been encouraging the red-lipped one to try some examples that I hope may rekindle her appreciation of le vin blanc.

During my latest attempt at conversion, I thrust a glass of Aussie riesling in to her ladyship’s hand.

“It smells of petrol,” she cried in alarm. I have to agree the wine in question did hum of unleaded, although I thought that was one of its charms.

It seems I’m going to have to find some other white grape varietal to change her outlook. Besides, I quite like having the riesling to myself, as it is without question my favourite white grape.

Of course, not all riesling has aromas of filling station. New World examples tend to be more petrol forward but Old World rieslings tends to develop those kerosene notes as they mature. I’ve chosen three contrasting dry rieslings for your perusal.

If you went to the trade style tasting at the Guildhall in York during the city’s food festival last year, you will have already come across online merchants FindWine.

The outfit is based between Leeds and Harrogate and is responsible for touting the Aussie riesling that prompted Mrs T’s petrol outburst, Gapsted Victorian Alps Riesling 2006.

I think this wine is more than ready for drinking, so I wouldn’t leave it lying around. It’s big on petrol and lime, with some peach notes too, making it bonza drinking on a hot summer evening.

Somewhat in contrast to the Aussie example is Kuentz-Bas Riesling Tradition 2008 from Alsace, available from the Wine Society.

It’s in the food-friendly style, quite full and with a zinging fresh acidity, and has flavours of citrus, peach, white flowers and minerals.

Or head to the Marlborough region of New Zealand and Little Beauty Dry Riesling 2008.

This is a very clean tasting, refreshing, mineral infused wine, with zesty lime sherbet flavours, some floral notes and just a hint of kerosene.

It is available in the UK, online, directly from the producer.

  • Gapsted Victorian Alps Riesling 2006, King Valley, £8.99 from FindWine (findwine.co.uk) 17/20.
  • Kuentz-Bas Riesling Tradition 2008, Alsace, £9.50 from the Wine Society (thewinesociety.com) 18/20.
  • Little Beauty Dry Riesling 2008, Marlborough, £12.99 from littlebeauty.co.nz 17/20.