Wine Grape: Riesling
Riesling may be the ancient argitis minor wine grape from Roman times, planted when the Romans occupied the territory in what is Germany today. But the first records of the grape come in the 15th century, first from Germany and then Alsace. In the early 1720s, it was planted in a single-variety vineyard at the Johannisberg Castel in Germany's Rheingau. Today it is Germany's most planted white grape, is widely grown in Alsace, and Chardonnay only recently overtook it in Australia. Riesling produces excellent age worthy wines from dry to dessert styles.
Synonyms
Also known as Edle Gewürztraube, Gentil Aromatique, Johannisberg, Johannisberg Riesling, Petit Riesling, Raisin du Rhin, Rhein Riesling, Rheingauer, Rhienriesling, Riesling Bianco, Riesling Giallo, Riesling Grosso, Riesling Renano, Riesling Rhénan, Rieslinger, Weisser Riesling, White Riesling
Riesling should not be confused with Riesling Italico, Clare Riesling, or Grey Riesling, which are different varieties.
Where
Australia: Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, Eden Valley, Goulburn Valley, Granton, Great Western, King Valley, Mount Barker, Pipers River, Tamar Valley
France: Alsace
Germany: Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Nahe, Pfalz, Rheingau, Rheinhessen
Italy: Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto
USA: Califonia, New York, Oregon, Washingon
Also: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Greece, Hungary, Luxembourg, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, Romania, South Africa, Spain, Swizterland
Principal Wines
France: Alsace: Alsace-Riesling AOC, Alsace Grand Cru Riesling AOC, Crémant-d'Alsace AOC
Italy: Lombardy: Garda DOC, Oltrepò Pavese; Trentino-Alto Adige: Trentino DOC, Alto Adige or Dell'Alto Adige/Südtirol or Südtiroler DOC; Veneto: Lison-Pramaggiore DOC
Characteristics
Color: Straw yellow
Nose: Intense. Fruity (dry, lighter styles: peach, green apple, citrus. riper grapes: apricot, pineapple), Floral, Mineral, Spicy. Aged, Riesling develops a pleasant petroleum aroma
Palate: Medium body and good acidity
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