
Riesling
Learn about Riesling — taste profile, popular regions and more ...
A regal variety of incredible purity and precision, Riesling possesses a remarkable ability to reflect the character of wherever it is grown while still maintaining its identity. It can be just as enjoyable dry or sweet, young or old, still or sparkling and the best exmples can age longer than nearly any other white variety. Riesling is best known in Germany and Alsace, and is also of great importance in Austria. The variety has also been particularly successful in Australia’s Clare and Eden Valleys, New Zealand, Washington, cooler regions of California, and the Finger Lakes region of New York.
Tasting Notes for Riesling
Riesling can be a sweet or dry white wine. In any case it usually has a high acidity and stone fruit, citrus, spice and floral notes. At its ripest, it leans towards juicy peach, nectarine and pineapple, while cooler climes produce Rieslings redolent of meyer lemon, lime and green apple. With age, Riesling can become truly revelatory, developing unique, complex aromatics, often with a hint of petrol.
Perfect Food Pairings for Riesling
Riesling is quite versatile, enjoying the company of sweet-fleshed fish like sole, freshly shucked oysters and most Asian food. Sweeter styles work well with fruit-based desserts.
Sommelier Secrets for Riesling
It can be difficult to discern the level of sweetness in a Riesling, and German labeling laws do not make things any easier. Look for the world “trocken” to indicate a dry wine, or “halbtrocken” or “feinherb” for off-dry. Some producers will include a helpful sweetness scale on the back label—happily, a growing trend.
- Chardonnay1201
- Sauvignon Blanc361
- Riesling226
- Other White Blends215
- Pinot Gris/Grigio180
- Other White Wine169
- Viognier112
- Chenin Blanc58
- Bordeaux White Blends57
- Rhône White Blends57
- Gewurztraminer55
- Gruner Veltliner42
- Pinot Blanc36
- Muscat34
- Albarino31
- Semillon27
- Cortese11
- Friulano9
- Garganega8
- Roussanne8
- Verdicchio7
- Furmint6
- Torrontes6
- Arneis5
- Marsanne5
- Vernaccia5
- Aligote4
- Melon de Bourgogne4
- Godello3
- Malvasia3
- Vermentino3
- Fiano3
- Falanghina2
- Greco2
- Muller Thurgau2
- Trebbiano2
- Verdejo2
- Verdelho2
- Viura2
- Moschofilero1
-
Von Kesselstatt Piesporter Goldtropfchen Kabinett 2006Riesling from Mosel, Germany
- WS
-
Pewsey Vale Eden Valley Riesling 2006Riesling from Eden Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- WS
- WE
-
Dr. Loosen Erdener Treppchen Auslese (375ML half-bottle) 2006Riesling from Mosel, Germany
- W&S
- RP
- WS
-
Von Kesselstatt RK Estate Riesling 2006Riesling from Mosel, Germany
-
Carl Graff Kabinett Riesling 2006Riesling from Mosel, Germany
-
Loimer Kamptal Riesling 2006Riesling from Austria
-
Drylands Dry Riesling 2006Riesling from Marlborough, New Zealand
- WE
-
Schloss Wallhausen Two Princes 2006Riesling from Germany
- WS
-
Petaluma Hanlin Hill Clare Valley Riesling 2006Riesling from Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia
- WS
- WE
-
Knappstein Watervale Riesling 2006Riesling from Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia
-
Vertikal Wines Piesporter Goldtropchen Riesling Auslese 2006Riesling from Mosel, Germany
-
Pacific Rim Dry Riesling 2006Riesling from Washington
-
Schloss Saarstein Riesling QbA 2006Riesling from Mosel, Germany
-
Yalumba Y Series Riesling 2006Riesling from Barossa, South Australia, Australia
-
Clean Slate Riesling 2006Riesling from Mosel, Germany
-
Robert Mondavi Private Selection Johannisberg Riesling 2006Riesling from North Coast, California
-
Dr. Loosen Erdener Treppchen Kabinett 2006Riesling from Mosel, Germany
- W&S
-
Pikes Riesling Traditionale 2006Riesling from Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia
-
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Riesling 2006Riesling from Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia
- RP
-
Maximin Grunhauser Abtsberg Riesling Spatlese 2006Riesling from Mosel, Germany
-
Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Riesling 2006Riesling from Columbia Valley, Washington
- CG
-
Jacob's Creek Barossa Steingarten Riesling 2006Riesling from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- W&S
- WS
-
Robert Mondavi Private Selection Riesling 2006Riesling from North Coast, California
-
Willamette Valley Vineyards Riesling 2006Riesling from Willamette Valley, Oregon
-
Dr. Loosen Dr. L Riesling 2006Riesling from Mosel, Germany
- WS