Name: Medium Sweet Riesling

Winery: Aurora Cellars, Leelanau (auroracellars.com)

Cost: $17

Where to buy: Local grocers

Suggested pairings: Lighter cuisine, such as seafood and vegetables

Best served: Chilled

Chilled, crisp wine is in its glory this time of year. As temperatures creep up, vinos seek out cool, refreshing varietals instead of hearty, room-temperature reds.

Aurora Cellars is tucked away in the Leelanau Peninsula in the heart of Michigan wine country and produces white, red and sparkling wines.

Specifically, the medium sweet Riesling is light and sweet. I didn’t detect the pineapple (as the Aurora Cellars claims); however, I am a mere mortal and not a sommelier. The peach notes definitely were present and the slight acidity to the wine lent a nice finish, making this a great wine to pair with lighter fare, such as fish, salads or grilled veggies.

The history of the Riesling vine can be traced back to Germany in 1435. Riesling is a white grape variety, which originated in the Rhine region and is an aromatic grape variety displaying flowery aromas as well as high acidity. It is used to make dry, semi-sweet, sweet and sparkling white wines.

The legend of sweet Riesling is generally credited to Schloss Johannisberg in the Rheingau — one of Germany’s 13 designated wine regions — who accidentally created their first “Spatlese” or late harvest in 1775. The legend goes that the messenger bringing the official order to start picking was robbed on the way. By the time he arrived, the grapes had rotted and were given to the peasants, who then brewed their own wines, and the rest is history. It's the Riesling grapes' ability to develop high sugar levels while maintaining acidity that produces white wines that age so well.