Tier: Regional Classic
Color: White
Origin: Germany, Rhine
Lineage: Autochthonous
Areas of Prominence: Riesling’s native Germany has more than five times the area of its closest competitor, Australia. Close behind is the USA, followed by France (largely Alsace) and Austria.
Iconic Wines: While there are great Riesling wines to be had from around the globe, a vast majority of the grape’s iconic wines hail from Germany and Alsace (France). Iconic producers include: Dönnhoff, Schloss Johannisberg, and Klaus Peter Keller from Germany, and Domaine Zind-Humbrecht, Trimbach, and Domaine Weinbach from Alsace.
Riesling Attributes
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Riesling Profile
Riesling is, without question, one of the world’s greatest white wine grapes. Native to Germany’s Rhine region, it is Germany’s most important wine grape by some measure. Thanks to its generous natural acidity, Riesling can produce (and frequently does) world-class dry wines, as well as sweet wines.
More than most vinifera grapes, Riesling is well-suited to a cool-to-cold climate. Because it is late to ripen, it relies on a climate where rainfall is delayed until late fall or winter.
Many wine lovers agree that the absolute best examples of Riesling are found in Germany, while France’s Alsace region could also make a claim to the title. Both German and Alsace Rieslings are frequently age-worthy, lasting well beyond a decade in some cases.
Riesling is grown worldwide and has found great success in cooler regions. Austria, Croatia, and New Zealand are producing lovely Rieslings with depth and balance. There are some dreadful examples of Riesling grown in hot zones in the USA. However, in Washington, New York, and Michigan (among others), Riesling often produces cool-climate Riesling worthy of your attention.
Riesling can be abundantly floral with green apple, citrus, beeswax, jasmine, and even petrol (I know this sounds crazy, but this is a common attribute).
Aromatics and Flavors: Green Apple, Lime, Jasmine, Honeysuckle, Petrol, White Rose, Pineapple, and Apricot Stone
Wine Types: White, Sparkling, and Sweet
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