Riesling

White grape variety

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What is Riesling?

Riesling is a white grape variety from Germany that thrives in various regions across the globe. It somewhat divides the wine world, as it is made in a such a bewildering array of styles that some drinkers shy away from it. Nonetheless, due to its ability to express site and place, it is often considered to be one of the noblest white grapes, alongside Chardonnay.

What does Riesling taste like?

Riesling has one chief hall mark and that is its acidity – which may well be the reason that many people struggle to like it. When it comes to smell, Riesling is semi-aromatic and can cover the entire citrus spectrum with uncanny resemblance, riper styles boast notions of peach and yellow plum, sometimes there are overtones of fresh or dried herbs. With age, Riesling develops incredibly complex notions of wax, lanolin and herb tincture. One aroma particularly associated with Riesling is TDN (1, 1, 6, -trimethyl-1,2-dihydronapthalene) which is related to sun exposure on grape skins, it smells as heady as petrol. Riesling also differs considerably when grown on different soils. Riesling is made in every style, from bone-dry to sweet, but often (erroneously) believed to be always sweet, a stumbling block in today’s market. What sets Riesling apart in this regard is that it has the acidity to balance any sweetness in the wine. Riesling is also made into rare and precious botrytised wines, and it can be used as a base for sparkling wines. While Riesling can be anything from bone-dry to lusciously sweet in Germany and Alsace, most Austrian and Australian examples are dry. Among white grape varieties, Riesling stands out for its ageability.

Where is Riesling from?

While Riesling, like numerous other grape varieties, has a parent-offspring relationship with Gouais Blanc, its origins are unclear. It has been cultivated for centuries along the river Rhine in Germany and is thought to have originated there.
 


Where does Riesling grow?

Riesling is prized for its frost-hardiness in winter and its ability to ripen in cool regions where the growing season is long enough. Germany has the greatest Riesling plantings by far. The variety thrives across all thirteen German growing regions but attains sublime expression in Mosel, Saar, Ruwer, Nahe, Pfalz and Rheingau. In France, Riesling is restricted to Alsace, in Austria it does best on the stony slopes along the Danube River. Other significant Riesling regions are the Clare and Eden Valleys of Australia, Washington State and the Finger Lakes in New York State in the US and Marlborough in New Zealand. More recently, Michigan in the US has been making a name for itself with Riesling.

Famous Riesling regions:

  • Mosel, Saar, Ruwer, Nahe, Pfalz and Rheingau in Germany
  • Wachau, Kremstal and Kamptal in Austria
  • Eden Valley and Clare Valley, Australia
  • Washington State, USA
  • Marlborough, New Zealand

Anything else?

Riesling thrives where other grape varieties struggle: on the steepest, stoniest slopes with the poorest soils. It is a delicious contradiction that such exertion should bring forth such joyful wines.

Country of origin: Germany
Color: white
Taste: sweet
Maturity: 8 to 10 years
Price: 5 to 150 €
Serving: Fish, Venison

This grape variety is also known by the name of:

Biela Disuca Grasiva, Biela Grasevina, Beregi Riesling, Bukettriesling, Beyaz Riesling, German Riesling, Gentile Aromatique Petracine, Gewuerzriesling, Gewuerztraube, Edelriesling, Dinca Grasiva Biela, Feher Rajnai, Johannisberg, Johanisberger, Johannisberg Riesling, Johannisberger Weisser, Johannisberger White, Karbacher Riesling, Karbacher, Graefenberger, Kleinriesling, Klingelberger, Gentile Aromatique, Johannisberger Gontil Aromatique, Jonanisberger Riesling, Gentil Aromatique, Kastellberger, Graschevina, Grasevina Rajnska, Grasevina diseca, Kis Rizling, Edle Gewuerztraube, Lipka, Klingenberger, Klingerberger, Nieberlander, Niederlaender, Krauses, Krausses Roessling, Hochheimer, Moselriesling, Kleigelberger, Kleiner Riesling, Kleinriesler, Oberkircher, Oberlaender, Rizling Linner, Rizling Rajinski, Rizling Rajnai, Rano, Pfaelzer, Pfefferl, Rhine Riesling, Rislinok, Rislinq, Rheingauer, Russel, Rajinski Rizling, Rajnai Rizlin, Rajnai Rizling Gm 239-20, Rajnai Rizling, Rajnski Rizling, Rajnski Ruzling, Rossling, Riesling Echter Weisser, Riesling Edler, Riesling Gelb Mosel E 43, Riesling Giallo, Riesling Gruener Mosel, Riesling Grosso, Riesling italico, Riesling Mosel, Petit Rhin, Raisin Du Rhin, Riesler,Riesling Bianco, Pussilla, Ryzlink Rynsky, Rheingauer Rieling, Riesling Blanc, Rheinriesling, Riesling De Rhin, Rheinriesling GM 239-20, Riesling Reinskii, Riesling Renano, Riesling Rhenan, Rislinenok, Riesling Rhenano Bianco, Riesling Rhine, Riesling Rothstieliger, Rheinrisling, Risling, Riesling Weisser, Riesling White, Rhiesling, Reissler, Rizling Rajnski, Rizling Rajnski Bijeli, Risling Reinskii, Rizling Rejnskij, Remo, Risling Rejnski, Rislinock, Rieslinger, Rieslingtraube, Reno, Rendu, Renski Rizling, Rizling Rynsky, Uva Pussila, Ryn Riesling, Ryn-Riesling, Rosslinger, Piros Rajnai Rizling, Reichsriesling, Ruessel, Rynsky Ryzlink, Rhein Riesling, Ruessiling, Ruessling, Weiser Riesler, Weisser Kleiner Riesling, Starosvetske, Roesling, Roessiling, Roessling, Rey Rislinqi, Reyn Rislinqi, Reyn’s Risling, Reynai, Rohac, Rezlik, Rezlin, Rezling, Rezlink, Starovetski, Szuerke Rizling, Weisser Riesling, White Riesling

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2023 »Oestrich Lenchen« Eiserberg Riesling Beerenauslese
Weingüter Wegeler – Gutshaus Rheingau
Germany
Hesse,  Germany
Sweet and Dessert Wine
Riesling
»Oestrich Lenchen« Eiserberg Riesling Beerenauslese Sweet and Dessert Wine
97
2022 Iphofen Julius-Echter-Berg Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese
Weingut Hans Wirsching
Germany
Bavaria,  Germany
Sweet and Dessert Wine
Riesling
Iphofen Julius-Echter-Berg Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese Sweet and Dessert Wine
100
2022 Kiedrich Gräfenberg Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese
Weingut Robert Weil
Germany
Hesse,  Germany
Sweet and Dessert Wine
Riesling
Kiedrich Gräfenberg Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese Sweet and Dessert Wine
100
2022 Riesling Wachau DAC Ried Singerriedel Smaragd
Weingut Franz Hirtzberger
Austria
Lower Austria,  Austria
White Wine
Riesling
Riesling Wachau DAC Ried Singerriedel Smaragd White Wine
100
2022 Kiedrich Turmberg Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese
Weingut Robert Weil
Germany
Hesse,  Germany
Sweet and Dessert Wine
Riesling
Kiedrich Turmberg Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese Sweet and Dessert Wine
99
2022 Riesling Wachau DAC Ried Achleithen Smaragd
Weingut Rudi Pichler
Austria
Lower Austria,  Austria
White Wine
Riesling
Riesling Wachau DAC Ried Achleithen Smaragd White Wine
99
2022 Riesling Steinkapelle
Weingut Ludwig Neumayer
Austria
Lower Austria,  Austria
White Wine
Riesling
Riesling Steinkapelle White Wine
99
2022 Riesling Wachau DAC Ried Kellerberg
Weingut F. X. Pichler
Austria
Lower Austria,  Austria
White Wine
Riesling
Riesling Wachau DAC Ried Kellerberg White Wine
99
2022 Riesling Wachau DAC Wachstum Bodenstein Smaragd
Weingut Prager
Austria
Lower Austria,  Austria
White Wine
Riesling
Riesling Wachau DAC Wachstum Bodenstein Smaragd White Wine
99
2022 Kiedrich Gräfenberg Riesling Beerenauslese
Weingut Robert Weil
Germany
Hesse,  Germany
Sweet and Dessert Wine
Riesling
Kiedrich Gräfenberg Riesling Beerenauslese Sweet and Dessert Wine
98
2022 Riesling Kamptal DAC Zöbing Ried Heiligenstein-Rotfels 1ÖTW
Weingut Hirsch
Austria
Lower Austria,  Austria
White Wine
Riesling
Riesling Kamptal DAC Zöbing Ried Heiligenstein-Rotfels 1ÖTW White Wine
98
2022 Riesling Wachau DAC Ried Hochrain Smaragd
Weingut Rudi Pichler
Austria
Lower Austria,  Austria
White Wine
Riesling
Riesling Wachau DAC Ried Hochrain Smaragd White Wine
98
2022 Riesling Wachau DAC Ried Kalkofen Smaragd
FJ Gritsch – Mauritiushof
Austria
Lower Austria,  Austria
White Wine
Riesling
Riesling Wachau DAC Ried Kalkofen Smaragd White Wine
98
2022 Riesling Wachau DAC Ried Steinporz Smaragd
Weingut Franz Hirtzberger
Austria
Lower Austria,  Austria
White Wine
Riesling
Riesling Wachau DAC Ried Steinporz Smaragd White Wine
98
2022 Riesling Traisental DAC Inzersdorf Der Wein vom Stein
Weingut Ludwig Neumayer
Austria
Lower Austria,  Austria
White Wine
Riesling
Riesling Traisental DAC Inzersdorf Der Wein vom Stein White Wine
98
2022 Riesling Wachau DAC Dürnstein Ried Kellerberg
Weingut Pichler-Krutzler
Austria
Lower Austria,  Austria
White Wine
Riesling
Riesling Wachau DAC Dürnstein Ried Kellerberg White Wine
98
2022 Riesling Wachau DAC Ried Klaus Smaragd
Weingut Prager
Austria
Lower Austria,  Austria
White Wine
Riesling
Riesling Wachau DAC Ried Klaus Smaragd White Wine
98
2022 Riesling Wachau DAC Ried Loibenberg
Weingut F. X. Pichler
Austria
Lower Austria,  Austria
White Wine
Riesling
Riesling Wachau DAC Ried Loibenberg White Wine
98
2022 Riesling Wachau DAC Ried Steinertal Smaragd
Weingut Alzinger
Austria
Lower Austria,  Austria
White Wine
Riesling
Riesling Wachau DAC Ried Steinertal Smaragd White Wine
98
2022 2021 Untertürkheim Gips Marienglas Riesling Eiswein
Weingut Aldinger
Germany
Baden-Wuerttemberg,  Germany
Sweet and Dessert Wine
Riesling
2021 Untertürkheim Gips Marienglas Riesling Eiswein Sweet and Dessert Wine
97+
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