Riesling: In-Depth Grape Varietal Profile

Key Regions for Riesling Cultivation

As we embark on a global tour of Riesling's homelands, we uncover the diversity of this versatile grape and how it mirrors the terroirs it calls home. From the sun-drenched hills of Australia to the misty riverbanks of Germany, Riesling offers a unique lens through which we can explore the profound influence of place on wine. Each region weaves its own narrative into the vines, infusing the grapes with distinctive characteristics that resonate with the essence of their origin.

• Germany: Undoubtedly the heartland of Riesling, where it is the most planted grape. Regions such as Mosel, Rheingau, Pfalz, and Rheinhessen are hallowed grounds for this varietal. The steep slate riverbanks of Mosel produce Rieslings with high acidity and pronounced mineral undertones, often with a characteristic flintiness. Rheingau Rieslings express more body and stone fruit flavours due to the region’s slightly warmer clime and mixed slate and quartzite soils.
• France - Alsace: Alsace Riesling is typically dry with a fuller body and a rich aromatic complexity. The region’s diverse soils, ranging from granite to limestone to sandstone, add depth and variety to the Rieslings, ranging from steely and precise to floral and spice-laden.

• Austria: Here, Riesling shares the stage with Grüner Veltliner. The primary region for Riesling is Wachau, where the varietal benefits from the Danube River's temperature-moderating effect and the primary rock soil, contributing to a characteristic mineral sharpness and structure in the wine. If you wantto learn more about Grüner Veltliner wines, check out our comprehensive in-depth profile.

• Australia: Areas like Clare Valley and Eden Valley in South Australia have gained acclaim for their Riesling. The higher altitude and cooler climate here produce Rieslings with pronounced lime and citrus notes, with an undercurrent of minerality - a signature of the region's ancient rocky soils.
• United States: The United States, with its diverse and unique terroir, is one of the placers where you can find some of the most uniques expressions of Riesling:
  • Washington State: The cool climate of regions like the Columbia Valley, with its volcanic soil, gives Rieslings a crisp acidity, often with a profile of juicy peach and apple.
  • New York - Finger Lakes: The glacial soils and the lakes’ moderating effect create Rieslings with vibrant acidity and a range of fruity flavors, from green apples to tropical fruits.
  • California: While known for richer wines, the cooler areas in California produce Riesling with more subtlety and fragrance, albeit in smaller quantities.
• Canada: British Columbia's Okanagan Valley and Ontario's Niagara Peninsula are noted for their Rieslings, often characterized by bright acidity balanced with ripe fruit flavours. The cool climate and variation in soil, from limestone to clay and gravel, contribute to the complexity of the wines.
• New Zealand: Although more known for Sauvignon Blanc wines, regions such as Marlborough, Central Otago, and Canterbury also create noteworthy Rieslings. The South Island's cooler climate helps produce Rieslings that are aromatic and high in acidity, often with a zesty, citrus-forward profile.

These regions illustrate not just the adaptability of Riesling but also how different terroirs can leave an indelible mark on the grape. Terroir's influence on Riesling is as nuanced as the grape itself. The soil types from the slate of Mosel to the limestone of Alsace, the climate variations from the cooler Canadian regions to Australia's sunny valleys, and even the vineyard aspects and altitudes all shape the expression of Riesling in profound ways.

• For instance, the steep slopes and reflective riverside in the Mosel intensify sunlight exposure, which is essential for Riesling's flavour development in such a northerly, cooler climate. Meanwhile, Alsace’s protection by the Vosges Mountains results in one of the driest climates in France, concentrating the flavours in the grapes.
• In the New World, Riesling reveals a different facet of its character. The diurnal temperature shifts in places like Washington State's Columbia Valley allow Riesling to maintain its necessary acidity while developing ripe, fruit-forward flavours. In Australia, the old soils, rich in minerals, impart a notable vibrancy and often a lime-like quality to the wines.
• Canadian Rieslings benefit from the 'hang time' allowed by the long, slow ripening period provided by the cool climate, which helps to build complexity in the grapes. In New Zealand, the cool maritime climate and young, stony soils contribute to a highly aromatic profile with a marked acidity, creating Rieslings that are both delicate and intense.

Through this lens, it becomes evident that Riesling is not just a grape variety but a storyteller, narrating the tale of its origin with every sip. Each region leaves its thumbprint on the grape, crafting wines that, while sharing a varietal name, present a kaleidoscope of flavours, textures, and aromas that are as diverse as the terroirs from which they emerge.

The organoleptic journey of Riesling around the world demonstrates a fascinating interplay between the inherent qualities of the grape and the environmental factors that define terroir. It's a variety that demands attention to detail and a deep respect for the land, which, when given, yields some of the most captivating wines known to the discerning palate. As such, Riesling stands as a testament to the beauty of diversity in wine, showcasing how a single grape can produce a multitude of expressions, each with its unique sense of place.

What are the Most Famous Riesling Wines

Within the vast mosaic of the world's wines, Riesling holds a place of honour, celebrated for its remarkable versatility and expressive nature. This mid-section will unveil the most famous Riesling wines, showcasing the varietal's chameleon-like ability to reflect its terroir while maintaining its unique personality. The following selections are not just benchmarks of quality but also emblems of their regions, each telling the story of its homeland through aroma and flavour. They have earned their prestige by consistently expressing the quintessential characteristics of Riesling and by demonstrating how different terroirs can influence the grape in exciting and delicious ways.

Germany

• Egon Müller Scharzhofberger: Nestled along the banks of the Saar River, a tributary of the Mosel, Egon Müller's Scharzhofberger Rieslings are the epitome of precision and elegance. These German Riesling wines are celebrated for their fine balance between sugar and acidity, exhibiting a bouquet that blooms with notes of green apple, slate, and white peach. On the palate, they offer a silky texture with an invigorating mineral streak, a testament to the blue slate soil of the vineyard. Egon Müller's Rieslings are not just German treasures but global benchmarks for the variety.
• Dr. Bürklin-Wolf Ruppertsberger Gaisböhl: From the Pfalz region, Dr. Bürklin-Wolf's Ruppertsberger Gaisböhl Riesling wine captures the warmer climate's influence with its richer, more voluptuous style. This German Riesling is marked by aromatics of ripe stone fruits, honeyed citrus, and a hint of spice, with a complexity that unfolds with age, developing intriguing petrol notes that are highly prized in mature Riesling.

Alsace

• Trimbach Cuvée Frédéric Émile: The Trimbach family, with roots in winemaking dating back to 1626, produces this outstanding Riesling from vineyards around Ribeauvillé. The Cuvée Frédéric Émile stands out for its dry, structured palate, a reflection of the Alsace region's limestone and sandstone soils. It features layers of citrus zest, wet stone, and white flowers, with an aging potential that rivals the finest white wines in the world.
• Domaine Weinbach Schlossberg Grand Cru: Hailing from the revered slopes of Schlossberg, Domaine Weinbach crafts Rieslings that resonate with the granitic terroir. The wines seduce with a complex nose of jasmine, lemon balm, and smoke, leading to a palate that manages to be both intense and featherlight, lingering long and evolving towards a spicy finish.

Austria

FX Pichler Dürnsteiner Kellerberg Smaragd: The Wachau region is famed for its Smaragd (named after the local emerald lizard) category of wines, which are rich and full-bodied. FX Pichler's Dürnsteiner Kellerberg Smaragd exemplifies the region's ability to produce concentrated Riesling with vibrant stone fruit flavours, exotic spices, and a firm mineral backbone, conveying the primary rock soil's influence with each sip.

USA

• Grosset Polish Hill: From Clare Valley in South Australia, Grosset's Polish Hill is an Australian icon. This wine is tightly wound in its youth, displaying lime and slate characters that broaden into a spectrum of citrus and floral notes over time. The slate-rich soil and altitude contribute to a piercing acidity and a steely structure that can see these wines age gracefully for decades.
• Chateau Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen Eroica: A collaboration between Washington State's Chateau Ste. Michelle and the Mosel's Dr. Loosen, Eroica marries New World innovation with Old World tradition. The result is a Riesling that bursts with ripe peach and apricot, underscored by a racy acidity reminiscent of the cool, river-influenced terroir of the Columbia Valley.

Canada

Inniskillin Icewine: Canada's Niagara Peninsula has carved out a reputation for producing world-class icewine, with Inniskillin leading the charge. Their Riesling Icewine is an intense dessert wine with a balanced acidity that cuts through the rich flavours of tropical fruits, honey, and citrus marmalade, a luxurious ending to any meal.

New Zealand

Framingham F Series Riesling: Marlborough may be Sauvignon Blanc country, but wines like Framingham's F Series Riesling show the potential for greatness with other varietals. These wines lean towards the sweeter spectrum, exhibiting New Zealand's vibrant fruit character with an interplay of lime and white flowers.

The tapestry of Riesling wines, woven from diverse soils and climates across the globe, tells a compelling story of adaptability, terroir, and winemaking artistry. From the steep slopes of Germany's river valleys to the dramatic landscapes of New Zealand, the famous Riesling wines we've explored embody the spirit of their regions while speaking a universal language of quality and complexity. They are wines that invite connoisseurs and casual drinkers alike to experience the nuances of aroma and flavour that only this noble grape can convey. As ambassadors of their terroirs and champions of the Riesling grape, these renowned wines stand as both a testament to the grape's heritage and a beacon for its future, promising continued delight for palates around the world. Whether sipped as a vibrant young wine or savoured with the patina of age, Riesling remains a varietal that continually captures the imagination and rewards the senses.