Riesling is a white
grape variety which originates in the
Rhine region of
Germany. Riesling is an aromatic grape variety displaying flowery, almost perfumed, aromas as well as high acidity. It is used to make dry, semi-sweet, sweet and sparkling
white wines. Riesling wines are usually varietally pure and are seldom
oaked. As of 2004, Riesling was estimated to be the world's 20th most grown variety at 48,700 hectares (120,000 acres) (with an increasing trend), but in terms of importance for quality wines, it is usually included in the "top three" white wine varieties together with
Chardonnay and
Sauvignon Blanc. Riesling is a variety which is highly "
terroir-expressive", meaning that the character of Riesling wines is clearly influenced by the wine's place of origin.
In 2006, Riesling was the most grown variety in
Germany with 20.8% and 21,197 hectares (52,380 acres), and in the
French region of
Alsace with 21.9% and 3,350 hectares (8,300 acres). There are also significant plantings of Riesling in
Austria, northern
Italy,
Australia,
New Zealand,
United States,
Canada,
China and
Ukraine. In the countries where it is cultivated, Riesling is most commonly grown in colder regions and locations.
Riesling has a long history, and there are several written references to the variety dating from the 15th century, although with varying
orthography. The earliest of these references dates from
March 13,
1435, when the storage inventory of the high noble Count John IV. of
Katzenelnbogen in
Rüsselsheim (a small principality on the
Rhine, close to today's
Rheingau) lists "22 ß umb seczreben Rießlingen in die wingarten" ("22 shillings for Riesling vine cuttings for the vineyard"). The spelling Rießlingen is repeated in many other documents of the time. The modern spelling Riesling was first documented in
1552 when it was mentioned in
Hieronymus Bock's Latin
herbal.
A map of
Kintzheim in
Alsace from
1348 contains the text zu dem Russelinge, but it is not certain that this reference is to the grape variety. However, in
1477, Riesling was documented in Alsace under the spelling Rissling. In
Wachau in Austria, there is a small stream and a small vineyard both called Ritzling, which are claimed locally to have given Riesling its name. However, there seem to be no documentary evidence to back this up, so this claim is not widely believed to be correct.
Riesling wines are often consumed when young, when they make a fruity and aromatic wine which may have aromas of green or other apples, grapefruit, peach, honey, rose blossom or cut green grass, and usually a crisp taste due to the high acidity. However, Riesling's naturally high acidity and range of flavours make it suitable for extended aging. International wine expert
Michael Broadbent rates aged German Rieslings, some hundreds of years old, extremely highly. Sweet Riesling wines, such as German
Trockenbeerenauslese are especially suited for cellaring since the high sugar content provides for additional preservation. However, high quality dry or off-dry Riesling wine is also known to have not just survived but also been enjoyable at an age exceeding 100 years.
The townhall of
Bremen, Germany, stores various German wines, including Riesling based wines, in barrel back to the 1653 vintage.
More common aging periods for Riesling wines would be 5-15 years for dry, 10-20 years for semi-sweet and 10-30+ for sweet versions.
