Riesling

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Name of varietal: Riesling

Common synonyms: Rhineriesling, Johannisberger, Gentile Aromatique, Hochheimer, Rizling, Rheinriesling, Rieslinger, Reynai, White Riesling

Parentage of the grape: likely indigenous to Germany

History of the grape: As with many varietals, exact details of Riesling’s origins are unclear. It is known that in 14th century Germany, attention shifted to white grape cultivation when it was obvious that red grapes weren’t up to snuff compared to those with more color and structure from neighboring countries. The first written mention of Riesling is dated March 13, 1435 when Count Katzenelnbogen at Russelsheim bought six vines of Riesling from Klaus Kleinfish for 22 soldi. From this point, there is written evidence throughout the 15th century of various sales and plantings around Germany as well as Austria and Alsace. The meticulous German artist Hieronymus Bosch makes a mention of it in his book on herbs, published in 1577, using the modern spelling Read more »

Name of varietal: Riesling

Common synonyms: Rhineriesling, Johannisberger, Gentile Aromatique, Hochheimer, Rizling, Rheinriesling, Rieslinger, Reynai, White Riesling

Parentage of the grape: likely indigenous to Germany

But Riesling’s biggest break came in the 18th century when the Benedictine Abbey in Johannisberg in the Reingau planted 294,000 Riesling vines after re-cultivating the fields. The wines made at the Abbey set the standard for quality Riesling production. Around the same time in Alsace, there was a movement to banish “inferior” grapes in favor of “noble” grapes such as Riesling. By the 19th century, Riesling was the leading grape in the Rheingau and Mosel.

There was a brief period in the early 20th century that Riesling fell out of grace in Germany, and there was a rapid decline of plantings in favor of trendy wines made from Silvaner and other varietals. But that trend was reversed as interest in Riesling’s versatility and age-worthiness caught on with serious wine enthusiasts.

Riesling is produced at varying levels of residual sugar. This ranges from bone dry table wine to off dry and very sweet. Riesling is particularly prone to Botrytis cinerea or “noble rot,” which withers the grapes but yields concentrated flavors. This is an attribute that has helped produce some of the greatest dessert wines in the world. Germany and Austria use Riesling classifications which indicate levels of ripeness or sweetness, and the weight of residual sugars.

In Germany (in ascending order of ripeness level):

Kabinett

Spätlese

Auslese

Beerenauslese

Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA, very rare, made from handpicked raisinated grapes, only released twice in a decade)

Eiswein (made from late harvest grapes that froze on the vine)

In Austria (in ascending order of must weight of the grapes, measured in Kosterneuberger Mostwaage degrees):

Kabinett - minimum 17 KMW

Spätlese - minimum 19 KMW

Auslese - minimum 21 KMW

Beerenauslese - minimum 25 KMW

Eiswein - minimum 25 KMW

Strohwein (dried on straw for a minimum of three months) - minimum 25 KMW

Ausbruch (dried grapes plus some late harvest wine added) - minimum 27 KMW

Trockenbeerenauslese - minimum 30 KMW

But aside from Austria, Germany and Alsace, Riesling has caught on in many parts of the world where cool-climate conditions are able to grow the grape. A wide range of styles is available from this globe-trotting varietal.

Favorite decadent food pairing: Auslese level Riesling and Chinese takeout.

Characteristics of the grape: petrol aromas, green apples, pear, honey, white flowers, honeysuckle. As it takes on more residual sugar and age, Riesling becomes more honeyed, with intense flavors of dried apricots, dried peaches, caramel and figs.

Regions where the grape is currently important: Germany (especially Rheingau, Mosel, Pfalz); Austria (especially Wachau); Alsace, California, Washington, Oregon, New York, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile, Romania, Moldova, Italy, Hungary

Type or types of wines the grape produces: dry to sweet and sparkling

– Description from Amanda Schuster (hide)

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Hermann J. Wiemer Riesling Dry

Winery:	Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard
Region:	USA » New York » Finger Lakes
Type:	Table Wines

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Spicy Shrimp with Andouille Sausage on Grits

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All About Riesling

The only thing I know about Riesling: how delicious it tastes on a hot summer day. No other wine, for me, quenches thirst as well after a hot day spent outdoors. What about the grape itself makes it such a perfect summer wine? From the vineyard to the ...

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Mentor for Riesling Wines

Craig Donofrio

Craig Donofrio is an Advanced Sommelier in the Court of Master Sommeliers and has worked and consulted for some of the nation's top restaurants. He is chief food/wine photographer at Grapevine Studios (www.grapevinestudios.blogspot.com).

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March 2009

Firestone Vineyard Riesling Central Coast 2005

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by Kathleena28
March 2009

Taylor Brooke Winery Late Harvest Riesling NV

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by Kathleena28
March 2009

Messina Hof Angel Riesling Late Harvest 2005

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by Kathleena28
March 2009

Gunter Steinmetz Mülheimer Sonnenlay Riesling Spätlese 1994

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by evaem
March 2009

Moselland Riesling Qualitätswein NV

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by honeypieval
March 2009

Fox Run Vineyards Riesling 2007

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by Tazon
March 2009

Gunter Steinmetz Mülheimer Sonnenlay Riesling Spätlese 1994

Snoothrank:

A striking nose of linoleum and spring onions. However, in the mouth the wine still has a lot of fruit. It's full of searing acidity and is very rich and viscous. Really unique, well aged and very nice. Read More

Wine review by Philip
March 2009

Dönnhoff Kreuznacher Krötenpfuhl Riesling Spätlese 2007

Snoothrank:

A beautiful Reisling - crisp acidity balanced by a little residual sugar and an intense level of concentration, make this very rich, powerful, fruity wine an absolute winner Read More

Wine review by Philip
March 2009

Carlson Vineyards Riesling Laughing Cat NV

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by idemandjustice
March 2009

Gunter Steinmetz Mülheimer Sonnenlay Riesling Spätlese 1994

Snoothrank:

A spectacular just maturing nose of deisel fuel, green onion tops, and slate but the palate remains wonderfully fresh with a prettty sweet character balanced by cutting acidity. The fruit is a bit apricotty but with the zesty, limy freshness of acidity. Wonderful and still youthful. 92pts Read More

Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz

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Riesling wine ratings and reviews

Winery:	Weingut Max Ferdinand Richter
Region:	Germany » Mosel » Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr
Varietal:	Riesling
Color:	White Wines

Winery:	Knapp Vineyards
Region:	USA » New York » Finger Lakes
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Sheldrake Point
Region:	USA » New York » Finger Lakes
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Ravines Wine Cellars
Region:	USA » New York » Finger Lakes
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Red Newt Cellars, Inc.
Region:	USA » New York » Finger Lakes
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Dr. Konstantin Frank Wine Cellars
Region:	USA » New York » Keuka Lake
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Boundary Breaks
Region:	USA » New York » Finger Lakes
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Weingut Dr Loosen
Region:	Germany » Mosel
Varietal:	Riesling
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Weingut Schönleber
Region:	Germany » Rheingau
Varietal:	Riesling
Type:	Dessert/Fortifieds

Winery:	Ottes
Region:	Germany » Rheingau
Varietal:	Riesling
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Château Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen
Region:	USA » Oregon » Columbia Valley
Varietal:	Riesling
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Selbach-Oster
Region:	Germany » Zeltingen
Varietal:	Riesling
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Charles & Charles
Region:	USA » Washington
Varietal:	Riesling
Type:	Table Wines

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Ravines Wine Cellars Riesling Finger Lakes Dry Riesling

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Red Newt Cellars Riesling Finger Lakes Dry Riesling

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Boundary Breaks No. 239 Reserve Riesling Dry

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Semi Dry Riesling

Banh-Mi Style Vietnamese Baguette

89065Gregory Dal Piaz

268548Constance Chamberlain

72835Wendy Crispell

640513Anna Savino

1840755zimbo0

545481sailtime

1476475Ennis1

685422cjvw

1255432BellaBee77

1134896eserrano13

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