March 13th marks International Riesling Day, a joyous occasion dedicated to honoring one of the most beloved and versatile grape varietals globally.
"Riesling, is the greatest white wine grape in the world," said UK wine critic Jancis Robinson MW in 2020 for the Financial Times.
Riesling, a fragrant grape variety, exhibits floral and almost perfume-like aromas alongside elevated acidity. It is used to produce a diverse range of white wines, including dry, semi-sweet, sweet, and sparkling variations. Nevertheless, the most known are the dry ones.
It commonly ranks among the "top three" white wine varieties, often found alongside Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
Join us on a journey through the flavors and characteristics that make Riesling a standout choice among white wine enthusiasts.
Origins
Recently, DNA fingerprinting conducted by Ferdinand Regner revealed that one of Riesling's parent varieties is Gouais Blanc, referred to as Weißer Heunisch in Germany. This grape, although rare in modern times, was extensively cultivated by French and German peasants during the Middle Ages. The other parent is a hybrid between a wild vine and Traminer.
According to Austrian Wine, the earliest recorded mention of the name dates back to 1435 in Rüsselsheim (close to the Rheingau, Germany), when the storage inventory of Count John IV of Katzenelnbogen lists "22 ß umb seczreben Rießlingen in die wingarten" ("22 shillings for Riesling vine cuttings for the vineyard"). The contemporary spelling "Riesling" was initially recorded in 1552, appearing in Hieronymus Bock's Latin herbal.
It has many synonyms, like White Riesling, Rajinski Rizling, Rajnai rizling, Renski Rizling, Rèze, Rheine Riesling, Rheinriesling, Rieslina, Riesling de Rhin.
Cultivated area
While commonly linked with the wines of the Mosel (Germany) and Alsace (France) regions, Riesling is cultivated across the globe. According to the 2016 data of "Which Winegrape Varieties are Grown Where?" by University of Adelaide Press, the Riesling variety was ranked 14th by planted area (approx. 60,000 hectares)
Top 10 Riesling planted surfaces are: Germany (21,540 ha), Romania (6,121 ha), the US (4,952 ha), France (4,025 ha), Australia (3,114 ha), Russia (2,232 ha), Austria (2,016 ha), Moldova (1,701 ha), China (1,600 ha) and Italy (1,461 ha).
Even though Germany is the most known Riesling wine country (Mosel, Pfalz or Rheinhessen regions), we would like to focus on Austria, where the grape, together with Grüner Veltliner, forms the most important white wine variety.
Almost 90% of Riesling cultivated area is in Niederösterreich (Lower Austria), demonstrating its significant importance. In Weinviertel, Riesling covers a substantial 697.04 hectares of vineyards, showcasing its popularity and suitability for the region's terroir. Similarly, in Kamptal, Kremstal, and Wachau, Riesling holds a strong foothold, with 361.82 hectares, 251.23 hectares, and 239.02 hectares respectively. Furthermore, in Wagram, Riesling's cultivation across 136.59 hectares emphasizes its contribution to the diverse wine landscape of Austria. The rest of Riesling vineyards are in other Austrian wine regions, mainly in Burgenland and Steiermark.
Wine Tasting: Wachau vs Kamptal
Riesling is renowned for its exceptional ability to reflect the unique characteristics of the terroir in which it is cultivated. This diversity in aroma is a testament to the grape's adaptability to various climates and soil types, offering a truly unique sensory experience with each bottle.
Few words about these two great Austrian wine regions.
Wachau, is a little territory of 1400 ha, on Danube between Melk and Krems locations. It is an area of small and, sometimes, very small vineyards, on the steep terraces, where some of world-class Rieslings are grown on the prehistoric rocks and loess. Having the cold air flow from Waldviertel, the Wachau wines preserve the minerality and acidity, being renowned for their exceptional ageing potential.
Kamptal region is not too far from Wachau, but have its own characteristics. Located around the Langenlois town, it opposes to the Danube flow, reflects a range of different rock formations (loess, gravel, striking crystalline intrusions and red sandstone rich in feldspars). Riesling vineyards provide fresh, dry white wines bursting with character, featuring a delicately agile yet firmly structured profile.
So, we propose a wine tasting featuring an exquisite selection of dry Rieslings, each showcasing the grape's versatility and expressive terroir-driven characteristics.
Young Austrian Riesling wines radiate delightful fruitiness and flavor, evolving into remarkable complexity and depth with age. With varying degrees of aging, Rieslings can acquire a distinctive petrol-like character, which may appeal to some wine enthusiasts more than others.
Wachau Riesling:
- Domäne Wachau, Riesling Ried Achleiten Smaragd (2022): A complex and rich wine; on the nose, subtle spiciness accompanied by hints of yellow stone fruit and a touch of candied orange zest. The palate reveals finely-woven textures of delicate peach fruit, vibrant acidity, and saline undertones, resulting in a fresh, deep mineral enduring finish, indicative of its potential for graceful aging.
- F.X. Pichler, Riesling Ried Trum (2022): on the nose, delicate aromas of stone fruit with savory nuances and a mineral essence, complemented by hints of fresh apricots and a touch of lime; on the palate, it unfolds with full-bodied flavors of white stone fruit, supported by a refreshing acidity that lingers vibrantly, showing exceptional balance and length, promising strong potential for aging. The aftertaste is long with a saline and mineral touch.
Kamptal Riesling:
- Weingut Eichinger, Riesling Ried Gaisberg 1ÖtW 2022: An elegant and complex white wine; on the nose, an abundance of fruits (apricot, yellow apple, lime); on the palate, very mineral and juicy, with a pleasant and long aftertaste.
- Weingut Steininger, Riesling Ried Steinhaus Reserve 1ÖTW (2022): A fine and elegant wine; on the nose, fine white tropical fruit, nuances of flowers, lime and passion fruit; on the palate, subtle notes of passion fruit, alluring aromatics, and a lingering finish characterized by pronounced minerality. A classic wine with potential.
Pairing
Riesling stands out as a versatile wine for food pairing, thanks to its harmonious blend of sugar and acidity. It complements dishes like white fish or pork exceptionally well and possesses the rare ability to complement the bold flavors and spices found in Thai and Chinese cuisine.
Wachau Riesling beautifully complements a wide array of vegetable or fish dishes, spanning from delicate truite meunière to vibrant exotic curries. Additionally, higher-alcohol Rieslings provide the perfect pairing for robustly flavored dishes such as fish, white meat, or shellfish, adding the perfect finishing touch to the dining experience.
For an optimal dining experience, pair a Kamptal Riesling with baked or grilled fish and seafood, as well as classic dishes like roast chicken or baked meats. The Reserve category offers versatility, complementing savory recipes from diverse ethnic cuisines and seamlessly blending into creative gourmet preparations.
Instead of conclusion
In conclusion, Riesling stands as a true testament to the artistry and diversity of the winemaking world. From its humble origins in Germany to its global acclaim, this noble grape continues to enchant and inspire wine lovers with its unparalleled elegance and charm.
Whether you prefer it bone-dry or decadently sweet, there's a Riesling waiting to delight your senses and elevate your wine experience to new heights.
Enjoy it responsibly!