Riesling is a white grape variety originating from the Rhine region of Germany, celebrated for its aromatic complexity and its profound expression of terroir. With a history dating back to the 15th century, Riesling has developed a reputation as one of the world’s most versatile and terroir-expressive grapes, capable of producing an astonishing range of styles from bone dry to lusciously sweet.
Characteristics of the Grape and Wine
Riesling grapes are small and round, with a thin skin and high acidity that can thrive in cooler climates. This high acidity is a defining trait, enabling Riesling wines to age gracefully for decades. A young Riesling often presents aromas of green apple, citrus fruits, and floral notes such as honeysuckle or jasmine. As it matures, it develops a complex array of smells and flavours, including honey, ginger, petrol (a classic and revered characteristic of aged Riesling), and a flinty minerality that can reflect the soils where it grows, from slate to limestone.
Riesling's Taste Profile
The taste profile of Riesling is as diverse as the regions where it is cultivated. In its German homeland, styles range from the intense sweetness of a Trockenbeerenauslese, with its rich, concentrated fruit flavours, to the starkly dry, crisp minerality of a Mosel Kabinett. The palate can dance with vibrant lime and peach, lean toward tart green apple, or swell with the richness of apricot and honey.
Global Regions and Terroir
While Germany remains the spiritual home of Riesling, the grape has also found hospitable terrains in the Alsace region of France, where it is one of the "noble" grapes. Here, Rieslings are often more full-bodied, with a rich texture and a pronounced stone fruit character.
New World countries such as Australia, particularly the Clare and Eden Valleys, produce Riesling that boasts a limey tartness, sometimes with a hint of tropical fruit, reflecting the warmer growing conditions. Meanwhile, the cooler climes of New Zealand, the United States (especially Oregon and the Finger Lakes region of New York), and Canada are creating Rieslings that can rival the complexity and finesse of the Old World, displaying bright acidity balanced by fruit-driven flavours.
Riesling in the Vineyard and the Cellar
Riesling is a grape that demands attention in both the vineyard and the cellar. It buds late, reducing the risk of frost damage, yet it also ripens early, which can pose a challenge in warmer climates. It's a hardy variety that reflects the place of its cultivation more transparently than perhaps any other white grape.
Winemakers cherish Riesling for the spectrum of wines it can produce. The fermentation process can be halted to create varying levels of sweetness or allowed to continue to dryness. The use of oak is rare with Riesling; stainless steel or old oak casks are preferred to preserve the grape’s delicate bouquet. It is one of the few white wines that benefit significantly from ageing, developing a depth and variety of flavours over time that are unrivalled.
Pairing Riesling with Food
One of Riesling's greatest strengths is its versatility with food. The high acidity and balance of sweetness make it an ideal companion to spicy cuisines, such as Thai or Indian. A dry Riesling can cut through the richness of pork dishes or complement the delicate flavours of sushi. The sweeter versions are a classic match for desserts like apple strudel or can stand up to the robust flavours of blue cheese.
Riesling and the Consumer
Riesling has sometimes been misunderstood in the global market, often stereotyped as invariably sweet. This misconception overlooks the nuanced and wide-ranging profile of the grape. Education is key, and many producers now label their bottles with a sweetness scale to help consumers understand what to expect from the wine inside.
The Future of Riesling
Riesling's future is as bright as its acidity. Climate change is prompting vintners to explore new territories for the grape, and winemakers are experimenting with innovative techniques to reflect changing tastes and maintain Riesling’s place at the table of noble grapes.