Riesling

Riesling is a semi-sweet white wine with stone-fruit notes and high acidity, and is often linked with Germany’s Rhine Region. However, in recent decades, rieslings have emerged from other areas of the world including Oregon and Washington. Rieslings from the Pacific Northwest and New York are winning people over with a toned-down version of their German counterparts. Rieslings are often consumed immediately following a meal or with dessert.

Some wineries produce a late-harvest riesling, picking the grapes that are still hanging even after harvest is complete. These late harvest rieslings result in a wine with a round mouthfeel, full body, and residual sugar.

The first recorded mention of riesling dates back to 1435, in Rheingau, Germany. Today, riesling is the 20th most planted varietal in the world, with 52,380 acres in Germany alone. Alsace, France, is the second most planted region for riesling with 8,347 acres.

Quick Facts

• Riesling is a good pairing for extremely spicy foods like Thai and Indian dishes
• Thriving well in cold climates, riesling is a favorite among vintners in locations including Canada, Austria, and New York
• Riesling is often used to make ice wine, particularly in Canada