Riesling is a white grape variety that is considered to be one of the World’s greatest and most versatile wine grapes. It is known for producing wines with a range of flavours and aromas, from sweet to dry, and from floral to citrus. Riesling has a unique flavour profile and the ability to express the terroir. It has a long and fascinating history, dating back hundreds of years, and it continues to be a popular grape variety among wine lovers today. With this guide, I would like to help you understand the different styles of Rieslings out there! Whether you prefer a crisp dry or a lusciously sweet one, there is a Riesling for every palate.
History
Riesling has a long history, and there are several written references to the variety dating from the 15th century. More recently, DNA fingerprinting by Ferdinand Regner indicated that one parent is Gouais blanc, a variety that was widely grown in the Middle Ages. The other parent is a cross between a wild vine and Traminer. It is presumed that the Riesling was born somewhere in the valley of the Rhine, since both Heunisch (Gouais blanc) and Traminer have a long documented history in Germany.
Riesling spread throughout Germany and other parts of Europe, and it’s now grown in many wine regions around the World. This includes Austria, France, Australia, New Zealand and the United States. In Germany, it is grown in several different regions, including the Mosel, Rheingau, and Pfalz. In the United States, it’s mostly grown in Washington State and New York’s Finger Lakes region.
Character
Riesling is a highly aromatic grape variety that is known for its complex and varied flavour profile. The wine produced from this grapes can range from dry to sweet, with flavours that include apple, peach, apricot, lemon, lime, and grapefruit. Riesling is also known for its high acidity, which gives the wine a crisp, refreshing finish. Because of its acidity, it is a great wine to pair with food, particularly spicy dishes and seafood.
Tasting Profile
When it comes to tasting wines, there are a few key things to look for. The first is the level of sweetness. Riesling wines can range from bone-dry to very sweet, so it’s important to know what you’re getting into before you take a sip. The second thing to look for is the level of acidity. Those wines should have a bright, crisp acidity that balances out the sweetness and gives the wine a refreshing finish. Finally, look for the flavours and aromas of the wine. Riesling wines can have a wide range of flavours and aromas, from fruity to floral to mineral.
Certain Riesling based wines reveal a striking petrol note that is sometimes described with comparisons to kerosene, lubricant, or rubber. It is usually occurring when the wine has a bit of an age but sometimes we can smell it in youthful Rieslings too. The petrol note is considered to be caused by the compound called TDN, which during the aging process is created from carotenoid precursors by acid hydrolysis. The petrol note is more likely to develop in top wines than in simpler wines made from high-yielding vineyards, thanks to certain viticultural factors such as irrigation.
Styles of Riesling
Riesling is known for its wide range of styles, from bone dry to lusciously sweet. The style of Riesling depends on the level of residual sugar in the wine, which is the amount of sugar left after the fermentation process is complete.
Dry Riesling is crisp, refreshing, and has a high acidity level. It is made with little to no residual sugar, and its flavour profile often includes citrus, green apple, and minerality. Dry Riesling is best paired with seafood, salads, and spicy dishes.
Off-dry Riesling is a slightly sweeter style than the dry version, with a residual sugar content of up to 12 grams per litre. It has a fruity flavour profile with notes of apricot, peach, and honey. Off-dry Riesling is a good choice for pairing with Asian cuisine, spicy foods, and creamy cheeses.
Medium-sweet Riesling has a residual sugar content of between 12 and 45 grams per litre. It has a fuller body than those off-dry ones and a rich, fruity flavour with notes of honey and apricot. This style of Riesling is often paired with spicy foods, foie gras, and blue cheese.
Sweet Riesling has a residual sugar content of over 45 grams per litre. It is a rich, luscious wine with a honeyed flavour profile and notes of tropical fruit. Sweet Riesling is often paired with desserts, such as fruit tarts and cheesecake. German and Austrian Prädikatsweins usually fall into that category and can vary enormously. You can read more about them here.
How the wines are made
The wine-making process varies depending on the style of wine being produced. For dry Riesling, the grapes are harvested at a higher level of ripeness to ensure the wine has enough acidity. The grapes are then fermented in stainless steel tanks to preserve the wine’s freshness.
For sweeter styles of Riesling, the grapes are left on the vine longer to allow the sugar levels to increase. The grapes are then pressed, and the juice is fermented in stainless steel tanks or oak barrels. The fermentation process is stopped before all the sugar is converted to alcohol, leaving the required residual sugar content in the wine.
For the lusciously sweet Rieslings, the berries are left on the vine to be attacked by botrytis cinerea or noble rot. A disease that sucks out most of the water from the grape, resulted in a raisin basically. When pressed and fermented, the wine will become very sweet with low alcohol content. This is where they can become an Auslese, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese, etc…
The other version called Ice Wine being produced by leaving the grapes so long on the vine when winter comes, and the harvest takes place around -10°C. When you press these frozen grapes, only the very sweet juice will be your prize so you can make again deliciously sweet wines.
Obviously, you can use these wine making methods with other varieties, but Riesling is one of the most versatile as I have already mentioned and the most used one as well all over the World. That is again thanks to its amazing natural acidity level, aroma complexity and intensity.
Conclusion
Riesling is a fascinating and versatile grape variety that has a long and rich history. The wine produced from this grape can range from bone-dry to luciously sweet, with flavors that include apple, peach, apricot, lemon, lime, and grapefruit and petrol, its unique flavour character. It is grown in many wine regions around the World and is particularly associated with Germany. Whether you prefer a dry or sweet Riesling, this is a grape variety that is definitely worth exploring.
I am always in for a great glass of Riesling if you want to sit down with me for some wine talk! Which one is your favourite style?
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