Riesling: the King of Grapes

Riesling stands tall among white grape varieties, celebrated for its aromatic intensity, vibrant acidity, and incredible diversity of styles that span from bone-dry to sumptuously sweet.

What You Can Expect to Taste and Smell

Riesling wines are characterized by their aromatic profile, often featuring notes of lime, green apple, and peach. The intensity of these aromas varies depending on the wine’s style, from crisp and dry to richly sweet.

Comparison of Cool vs Warm Climates

Riesling thrives in both cool and warm climates, adapting its character accordingly. In cooler regions like Germany’s Mosel Valley, the wines are known for their high acidity, mineral-driven profile, and delicate fruit flavors. In warmer climates such as Australia’s Clare Valley, Riesling exhibits riper fruit flavors while retaining its hallmark acidity.

Key Regions and Name Some Appellations or Producers of Note

Key Regions:

• Germany: Known for producing some of the world’s finest Rieslings, particularly in Mosel, Rheingau, and Pfalz regions.
• France: Alsace is renowned for its Alsace Rieslings, which often showcase a more aromatic and fuller-bodied style compared to their German counterparts.
• Australia: Clare Valley and Eden Valley in South Australia are famous for their crisp, lime-scented Rieslings with great aging potential.

Notable Producers:

• Dr. Loosen (Germany, Mosel): Revered for crafting exceptional Rieslings that express the Mosel’s steep vineyards and slate soils.
• Domaine Zind-Humbrecht (France, Alsace): Known for biodynamic practices and producing complex, age-worthy Rieslings that reflect Alsace’s terroir.
• Grosset (Australia, Clare Valley): Pioneering producer of Australian Riesling, acclaimed for its purity of fruit and precise winemaking.

Age-worthiness

Riesling is one of the most age-worthy white wines, thanks to its high acidity and complex flavor profile. While many are delightful in their youth for their freshness, the best Rieslings can evolve beautifully over decades, developing honeyed notes and petrol-like aromas with age.

Meet the author

Damien Saunders
WSET3 award - Has been on a journey to learn more about wine, viticulture since I started travelling. Every country has something to drink.
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