Happy Birthday Riesling!
Let’s celebrate the birthday of Riesling this month and raise our glasses to the queen (or king) of grapes for its versatile and generous offerings.
13th of March 1435 is the date Riesling grape variety was documented for the first time in history. In the documents of storage inventor Count John IV of Katzenelnbogen in Germany, mentions the price of Riesling vine cuttings. The Wines of Germany trade group has announced March 13th as the birthdate of this variety.
Riesling is an aromatic variety and known with its pronounced high acidity. It is a cold-winter hardy grape. It buds late so this means it has natural protection to spring frosts seen especially in cool regions. If the vineyards are located to good sites which means a good aspect to sun and a good drainage of the soils, after a reasonably long ripeness period vines can produce very good quality grapes. With its thick skins resistant to cold and frost, with aromatic profile, and being susceptible to noble rot, Riesling can be seen in some of the coolest vine regions and produces versatile styles of wines.
Depends on the length of the ripeness season, the flavour characteristics change from lime citrus, floral notes to stone fruit aromas such as peaches, nectarines. Extended ripening period brings more tropical fruit development such as mango, pineapple. Ageing process adds honey, toast, petrol-kerosene notes to Riesling enhancing the complexity.
Birthplace of Riesling is Rhine Region in Germany. it is still one of the key grape varieties of this country. Riesling can reflect the terroir characteristics at high levels. Here, Riesling styles differs from dry – medium and to sweet and quality levels can reach from very good to outstanding wines. Retained high acidity levels creates a great balance with high sugar levels. With addition of unique characteristics of Noble Rot some of the most adorable sweet wines are coming from this land.
Some notable areas in Germany for Riesling:
Pfalz
Located between Haardt Mountains and Rhine Plain, Pfalz is one of the driest and mildest wine regions in Germany. Rieslings from Pfalz offers full body, rich, fruit forward and mineral styles.
Try this dry, spicy Riesling, with flavours of lime citrus, peaches and delicious savoury finish of Dr Bürklin-Wolf from Wachenheimer vineyards. A great pairing for your seafood dishes, Asian cuisine, sushi, pork belly especially garnished with apple sauce.
Rheinhessen
Region is protected from cold winds by Taunus and Hunsruck mountains and has warm, fertile soils which makes the area suitable for high volume- mass production. Largest area in terms of production and most of the high volume, inexpensive styles are coming from here. Liebfraumilch is originated in Rheinhessen.
Even though majority of production is bulk, there are some areas getting more noticeable with their high quality examples. Rheinterrassen which has vineyards located on steep slopes by River Rhine is an important area. Roter Hang has exclusive Rotliegenden soil which adds smoky complexity to Rieslings.
Mosel
One of the most famous wine regions in the world known for high quality Rieslings. Located in north of the country, vineyards are planted on steep, south facing slopes around Mosel River. River reflects the sunlight, aids the ripening. The different coloured slate soils, radiates the heat to vines enhancing ripening as well as adding a mineral complexity to wines. Some producers you may get your hands on such as Dr Loosen, Markus Molitor, Thomas Haag and many more offers different styles of Rieslings in different sweetness levels that will add diversity to your cellar and your table.
This 100% Auslese Riesling dessert wine from Monchoff is a must try on its own or with fruit-based desserts, tangy cheeses or even with your Foie Gras.
Also check out Baden, Rheingau, Nahe regions and Riesling productions from these regions. Some great names like Dönnhoff Family, Franz Künstler, Becker offer great examples of this noble variety.
Austria
Another Europen country that produces very good examples of Riesling is Austria.
Lower Austria ,Wachau, Kremstal and Kamptal are the most important regions to enjoy this varietal from Austria. General Austrian Rieslings are dry with ripened stone fruit and tropical fruit aromas and noticeable high acidity. Very good examples can develop nutty & kerosene aromas adding subtle complexity.
Hopler located in Burgenland in south east of Vienna produces great Rieslings reflecting the slatey terroirs complexity in their wines.
Alsace
A terroir, unique, protected by ostentatious Vosges Mountains and home to some very good quality Rieslings. Not only full bodied, stone fruit aromas and, stony and steely examples but the delicious sweet wines of Vendage Tardives are found here as well.
Australia
When seek for Riesling in the land Down Under we focus on Clare and Eden Valleys located in South Australia.
Eden Valley vineyards are located on hills, part of Mount Lofty Ranges at the east of Barossa Valley. Riesling is the most planted varietal here. Having a high altitude in this warm climate area Riesling offers dry, high acidity lemon and lime citrus and floral dominated wines with potential ageing developing honey, nutty aromas. Comfortably reaching outstanding quality.
Clare Valley is also benefits of high altitude approximately 500metre above sea level. The altitude and cool breezes moderate this warm region. Canopy management is especially important here to protect the Riesling grapes from intense sunlight.
Clare valley produces high acidity , dry wines with citrus aromas, floral and sometimes flinty depends on the soils. Why not try this fabolulus Riesling from Jim Barry who makes miracles in his wines. Pure varietal characteristics of lemon, lime balanced with high acidity.
Riesling is grown and produced in other countries and wine regions such as New Zealand, South Africa , Slovenia and so on but some another world famous production areas are in USA. Washington State, New York and Michigan regions. Washington State has the largest Riesling region in the USA. Especially Columbia Valley has outstanding wines greatly balanced with acidity and pronounced flavours.
New York- Finger Lakes Region is another ‘must try ‘ area ‘ for Riesling. Michigan Rieslings are highly respected and wines from here commonly can be found in top fine dining restaurants all around the world.
This 13th of March I will celebrate Riesling with Vickery Watervale Riesling 2021 which has promising apple blossom, hints of fennel and juicy, ripe stone fruits. A year showing full flavour ripeness, finesse and bright, balanced natural acidity.
I will pair it with spicy prawns marinated with lime and coriander. Will tell you the result next month!!
I hope you will all find a nice Riesling for yourselves suitable for your palates and budgets. And appreciate this wonderful, versatile grape variety.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RIESLING!!!
