Riesling

• Color: White
• Grape Parentage: Gouais Blanc (Weißer Heunisch) x crossing of Traminer and a wild vine
• Place of Origin: Rhein Valley
• Origin of Grape Name: several theories exist
  • “Rus” or “Rissig”: references to dark wood with deep grooves (characteristics of the Riesling vine)
  • “Vierrieseln”: a reference to Riesling’s propensity for poor flowering
• Major Regions of Production:
  • Germany: 22,636 hectares (2011, German Wine Institute)
    • Pfalz: 5,567 ha
    • Mosel: 5,2,94 ha
    • Rheinhessen: 4,366 ha
  • Australia: 4184 hectares (2010, Wine Australia)
    • Clare Valley GI: 1040 hectares (2010 W.A.)
    • Eden Valley GI: 541 hectares (2010 W.A.)
  • France: 3,524 hectares (2011, FranceAgrimer)
    • Haut-Rhin département: 1,930 ha 
    • Bas-Rhin département: 1,566 ha
  • Austria: 1,863 hectares total (2009, Wines of Austria)
  • USA:
    • Washington: 4,404 acres (2010, Washington Wine Commission)
    • California: 3,831 acres (2010, USDA/CA Dept. of Agriculture)
• Synonyms:
  • Germany: Weißer Riesling (Germany and Austria), Johannisberger (Germany and Switzerland), Moselriesling, Rheinriesling, Rössling, Rieslinger, Pfefferl, Niederländer, Klingelberger, Gräfenberger, Kastellberger, Karbacher Riesling, Kleinriesling, Kleingriesler, Weißer Kleiner Riesling, Gewürztraube 
  • California: Johannisberg Riesling
  • USA: White Riesling
  • Australia: Rhine Riesling
  • Italy: Riesling Renano
  • Croatia: Rajinski Rizling  
  • Slovenia: Renski Rizling 
  • Bulgaria: Rizling
  • Romania: Reynai
  • France: Petracine (Moselle), Gentil Aromatique 
  • Note: Gray Riesling, Emerald Riesling, Cape Riesling, Hunter Riesling, Italian Riesling (Welschriesling) are distinct grapes, not synonyms for the noble Riesling
• Viticultural Characteristics: Late-Budding, Early-Ripening (in warmer climates), Cold-Resistant, Susceptible to Coulure and Grey Rot/Botrytis
• Preferred Soil Type: slate and other well-drained, poor soils
• Associated “Classic” Soil Types:
  • Mosel: Devonian Blue Slate
• Common Blending Partners: Riesling is usually vinified as a single variety

Typical Descriptors and Structure for Mosel Kabinett Riesling

• Visual: Brilliant, Watery White with Hints of Green, Low Concentration
• Aromas/Flavors: High Intensity
  • Fruit: Tart Tree Fruits (Green Apple, Bosc Pear, Quince), Citrus/Citrus Peel (Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit), Stone Fruit (White Peach, White Plum, Nectarine), Blackcurrant
  • Sulphuric Note (in youth)
  • Floral: White Flowers, Jasmine, Fruit Tree Blossoms
  • Other: Slight Smoke, Candlewax, Panna Cotta/Meringue, Slight Petrol
  • Earth: High Minerality, Slate, Crushed Rock
  • Oak: None or Large Neutral Cask
  • Bottle Age Aromas: Honey, Petrol, Paraffin
• Structure: Off-Dry to Medium Dry, Light Body, High Acidity, Low Alcohol

Typical Descriptors and Structure for Rheingau Spätlese

• Visual: Star-Bright, Straw with Hints of Pale Gold and Green, Moderate Concentration
• Aromas/Flavors: High Intensity
  • Fruit: Ripe Tree Fruits (Yellow Apple, Pear, Quince), Fresh Citrus/Citrus Peel (Grapefruit, Orange, Meyer Lemon), Stone Fruits (Nectarine, White Peach, Apricot, Cherry), Melon
  • Sulphuric Note (in youth)
  • Floral: White Flowers, Wildflowers, Honeysuckle, Jasmine, Fruit Tree Blossoms
  • Botrytis: Ginger, Honey, Saffron
  • Slight Herbal/Spice: Lemongrass
  • Other: Slight Smoke, Candlewax, Panna Cotta/Meringue, Slight Petrol
  • Earth: High Minerality, Granite, Slate, Crushed Rock
  • Oak: None or Large Neutral Cask
  • Bottle Age Aromas: Honey, Petrol, Paraffin, Herbs (Marjoram, Spearmint)
• Structure: Medium Dry to Medium Sweet, Moderate Minus Body, High Acidity, Low Alcohol

Typical Descriptors and Structure for Dry Alsace Riesling

• Visual: Yellow/Gold with Hints of Green, Moderate Plus Concentration
• Aromas/Flavors: High Intensity
  • Fruit: Ripe and Cooked Tree Fruits (Yellow Apple, Baked Pear, Quince), Citrus (Lemon, Citronella, Grapefruit), Stone Fruit (Yellow Peach, Stewed Apricot), Tropical Fruit (Pineapple), Banana/Banana Peel
  • Sulphuric Note (in youth)
  • Floral: White Flowers, Honeysuckle, Jasmine
  • Botrytis: Ginger, Honey, Saffron
  • Spice: Cardamom, Anise, Fennel
  • Other: Smoke, Candlewax, Slight Petrol
  • Earth: High Minerality, White Mushroom
  • Oak: None or Large Neutral Cask
  • Bottle Age Aromas: Honey, Petrol, Paraffin, Marzipan, Browned Toast
• Structure: Dry, Moderate to Moderate Plus Body, High Acidity, Moderate to Elevated Alcohol

Typical Descriptors and Structure for Clare Valley/Eden Valley Riesling

• Visual: Pale Straw with Hints of Gold and Green, Moderate Concentration
• Aromas/Flavors: High Intensity
  • Fruit: Ripe Citrus (Lime, Lime Candy, Lemon), Stone Fruit (White Peach, White Nectarine), Tart Tree Fruit (Green Apple), Slight Tropical Fruit (Passion Fruit, Guava)
  • Sulphuric Note (in youth)
  • Floral: White Flowers, Purple Flowers, Linden/Lime Blossoms, Roses
  • Other: Slight Spice, Kerosene/Petrol, Margarita Salt, “Fresh Tennis Ball” 
  • Earth: Moderate to Moderate Plus Minerality, Slate, Steely
  • Oak: None

Structure: Dry, Moderate to Moderate Plus Body, High Acidity, Moderate Alcohol