
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.
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Trimbach Cuvee Frederic Emile Riesling 2011Riesling from Alsace, France
- JS
- W&S
- WW
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Pacific Rim Wallula Vineyard Biodynamic Riesling 2011Riesling from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Robert Eymael-Monchhof Estate Riesling QbA 2011Riesling from Mosel, Germany
- WS
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Forrest Estate Botrytis Riesling (375ML half-bottle) 2011Riesling from Marlborough, New Zealand
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Pacific Rim Sweet Riesling 2011Riesling from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Pacific Rim Riesling 2011Riesling from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WE
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Pacific Rim Dry Riesling 2011Riesling from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WE
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Carrick Riesling 2011Riesling from Marlborough, New Zealand
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Dr. Loosen Dr. L Riesling 2011Riesling from Mosel, Germany
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Immich-Batterieberg Steffensberg Riesling 2011Riesling from Mosel, Germany
- RP
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Domaine Mittnacht Freres Riesling 2011Riesling from Alsace, France
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Maximin Grunhauser Herrenberg Riesling Kabinett 2011Riesling from Mosel, Germany
- WS
- W&S
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Pierre Sparr Schoenenbourg Grand Cru Riesling 2011Riesling from Alsace, France
- WE
- W&S
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Eroica Riesling 2011Riesling from Columbia Valley, Washington
- W&S
- WE
- RP
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A. Christmann Riesling Pfalz 2011Riesling from Pfalz, Germany
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Pacific Rim Organic Riesling 2011Riesling from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Trimbach Clos Ste. Hune 2011Riesling from Alsace, France
- JS
- RP
- WS
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Leeuwin Estate Art Series Riesling 2011Riesling from Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia
- WS
- RP
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Louis Guntrum Niersteiner Rehbach Spatlese Riesling 2011Riesling from Germany
- WE
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Pewsey Vale Museum Reserve The Contours Riesling 2011Riesling from Eden Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- WS
- RP
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Gainey Riesling 2011Riesling from Central Coast, California
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Washington Hills Late Harvest Riesling 2011Riesling from Washington
- WE
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J.J. Christoffel Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Spatlese 2011Riesling from Mosel, Germany
- WS
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Zind-Humbrecht Brand Grand Cru Riesling 2011Riesling from Alsace, France
- WS
- RP
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Urban Legend Cellars Riesling 2011Riesling from Lake County, North Coast, California