Compared to most winemaking countries, Germany’s vineyards receive less sunshine during the growing season and see lower average temperatures. As such, Riesling is grown in all 13 of the country’s wine regions, and it’s the world’s largest producer of Riesling.Īmong the most northerly winegrowing areas in the world, Germany is considered a “cool climate” region. Riesling’s homeland of Germany checks all the boxes of an ideal Riesling region. Total Riesling surface area in Germany (2015): 23,596 hectares Total vineyard acreage in Germany (2018): ~103,000 hectares How does the flavor profile of Riesling differ across countries and continents? Beyond Riesling’s birthplace along Germany’s Rhine River, Riesling is also grown around the world from Australia to Oregon. With over 23,000 hectares planted to Riesling in Germany alone, fully exploring the country’s array of Rieslings is no small feat. This transparency of terroir means that Riesling grown in different regions will produce wines with markedly distinct characteristics. It was after the 1960’s that it reached the top position of production areas in Alsace.One of Riesling’s most unique and celebrated qualities is its vibrant expression of terroir, commonly defined as “a sense of place.” In other words, certain elements of the soil and microclimate that the grapes are grown in are noticeable factors in the wine’s taste profile. It is often cited during the following century but its growth really only developed in the second half of the 19th century. This grape variety was soon called Riesling coming from ‘riesen’ (‘to fall’ in German), as before it became acclimatised to Alsace, it was highly sensitive to adverse weather conditions such as coulure from rain during budburst making the flowers fall to the ground - and therefore leaving no grapes for production.ĭifferent from its German cousin, the Alsace Riesling was introduced to our region at the end of the 15th century. In 843, right after the division of the Empire of Charlemagne, Louis II the German had Riesling grapes (then called Gentil Aromatique) planted along the Rhine.
According to Stoltz, Riesling was introduced during the 9th century in the Rheinghau wine-growing region. For some, it was the Roman Argitis Minor grape varietal and its culture dates back to the Roman occupation. It’s the ultimate Rhineland grape variety! It’s recognised the world over that it originated in the Rhine Valley. When it comes to the cheeseboard, goat and sheep milk cheeses are ideal with these vivid and expressive wines, with the long and racy acidity reflecting the sharp acidity found in these cheeses. It’s a great partner for accompanying preparations in sauces such as with veal ragout or Coq … au Riesling. Now leaving the fish world, Riesling also matches perfectly with poultry and white meats which don’t fare well with aggressive tannins.
You need all the character of a Riesling d’Alsace to not be overwhelmed by the caviar taste but rather enjoy it even more with each bite you take. Unlike any other variety, its soil-specific minerality can be a delicious match to the intense iodine flavours of oysters.Īnd without openly boasting, it’s one of the rare white wines that can be paired with caviar without it leaving an unpleasant fishy and metallic taste in your mouth. When fish and shellfish are cooked with a sauce or with cream, it brings a lightness which refreshes the palate, preparing it for the next mouthful. Its fine acidity, combined with a dash of lemon zest, brings out the subtle flavours of shellfish while enhancing its salty quality. This inimitable wine unfolds an array of resources: singular balance, remarkable zestiness and an exquisite finesse!Įndowed with a subtle palette of aromas, it makes for a great match with delicate white fish which requires an elegant wine to match its taste. The diversity of Alsace terroirs is ideal for this grape as it’s a transparent veil, a medium through which terroir can be expressed to its fullest. The Riesling d’Alsace is a wine to be kept, maturing wonderfully in its bottle for decades. Its framework is provided by a lively intensity, noticeable from the moment the wine touches your mouth until the tail-end of its finish, the mid-palate being noticeable due to its weight.
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