Thu August 7th 2008

Home > Grapes > Riesling

Grape Variety: Riesling

Geography: France (mainly Alsace), Germany, Eastern Europe, Northern Italy and New World.



Viticulture: France's Alsace region—in the rain shadow of the Vosges Mountains, with long, sunny, dry summers—is ideal terroir for Riesling. The slopes of North West Germany, e.g., above the Mosel river, also provide excellent terroir.

Varietal/Blend: Occasionally used in blending, but the vast majority of Riesling is used as a varietal.

Flavor & Character: Can produce powerful wines of superb quality and elegance. Flavor hints include green apple, lime, apricot and honey.

Vinification: German Riesling is much higher in alcohol as it is fermented until virtually dry. Sometimes, regrettably, a sweet unfermented must is added just before filtration and bottling.

Style: Styles range from light and crisp to headily rich and sweet.

Body, Dry/Sweet: Ranges from delicate, dry, light bodied wines to ''noble rot'' infected dessert wines. Ages beautifully.

Notes: Riesling accounts for approximately 20% of Germany's wine output and produces some of the country's finest wines. Not to be confused with the inferior Laski Rizling.

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