Riesling
Riesling is a hardy vine that is well-suited for cool-climate wine regions. It is perhaps most associated with the white wines of Germany, where it produces wines that range from dry to sweet.
On the vine, ripe Riesling grapes are deep golden yellow in color, and the resulting wine can range from pale yellow to richly golden in the glass. Riesling is most known for its sharp acidity, which lends ample structure and lift to the wine, even in the sweetest of offerings. This bold acidity contributes the ageability of these wines, some of which can last for decades.
Among Riesling’s many distinctive aromatic notes, the most unique is that of gasoline, or petrol. A minute amount of a hydrocarbon contributes to this unique aroma, and it is most common in aged Riesling. The grape is also known for its minerality, as well as for notes of stone fruits, like peaches and apricots, and white flowers.
Riesling in Germany
Riesling is, by origin, an Old-World variety, and nowhere is it more famous than in Germany, where the grape is almost never blended or exposed to oak. Germany grades its Riesling harvest by ripeness level within a hierarchy called the Prädikatswein. From less ripe to the ripest, the ranking is: kabinett, spätlese, auslese, beerenauslese, eiswein and trockenbeerenauslese. Trocken or Halbtrocken can be included on the label to denote wines that are finished dry or off dry.
Riesling can be found in all of Germany’s 13 wine-growing regions, however it is most prominent in the Mosel, Rheinhessen, Pfalz, Rheingau and Nahe regions.
Riesling in Alsace
Right across the border from Germany is Alsace, which is home to a French expression of Riesling. These wines tend to be slightly higher in alcohol than German counterparts and much drier, however there are Vendange Tardive (VT) and Sélection de Grains Nobles (SGN) wines that are vinified sweet.
Global Production
Riesling is well-regarded in Austria, however it is commonly overshadowed by the country’s main white grape, Grüner Veltliner. Riesling in Austria is typically dry in style and richer in feel than German bottlings.
While perhaps most known for rich, fruity Shiraz, Australia is home to a surprising array of wine grapes that perform well across its many wine regions. Riesling catches its stride in the Clare and Eden Valleys of South Australia. These wines are typically dry in style, with brisk flavors of lime, white flowers and stone.
In the United States, the grape performs well in Oregon, Washington, New York’s Finger Lakes region and Michigan. The grape is also common in Ontario, Canada, where it produces a range of dry to sweet wines.
Synonyms: Johannisberg Riesling, Rhine Riesling, Riesling Renano, Rheinriesling

Germany has a deep history of winemaking, and Riesling has long been considered the country’s most celebrated grape – The first documented mention of Riesling dates back to the early 15th century near the Rheingau region. Vinified bone dry or lusciously sweet, this iconic grape has a pour perfect for every palate.
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Fritz Allendorf 2019 Jesuitengarten Trocken GG Riesling (Rheingau)
GermanyJuicy acidity underscores the floral and herbal elements with a mineral streak ...See Full Review$50 -
Robert Weil 2021 Kiedrich Gräfenberg Spätlese Riesling (Rheingau)
GermanyIntense acidity matches the even more intense flavors of baked pineapple, mango ...See Full Review$90 -
Wittmann 2021 Westhofen Morstein Kabinett Riesling (Rheinhessen)
GermanyA graceful, yet expressive white, this exudes peach, ripe apple, brown spice ...See Full Review$47 -
Tesch 2021 Langenlonsheimer Löhrer Berg Trocken Riesling (Nahe)
GermanyBone-dry, with biting acidity, but also with a rich yellow plum, Bosc ...See Full Review$35 -
Prinz Salm 2019 Bingen 1G Trocken Riesling (Rheinhessen)
GermanyThis leans towards the lighter side of spectrum, yet it is very ...See Full Review$41 -
Johannes Zillinger 2021 JZ Velue 2.0 Riesling (Niederösterreich)
AustriaCrunchy texture of this Riesling combined with focused aromas and flavors of ...See Full Review$25 -
Domäne Wachau 2021 Ried Achleiten Smaragd Riesling (Wachau)
AustriaThere is a sense of potential in this white, but its polished ...See Full Review$51 -
Reverchon 2019 Filzener Herrenberg GG Trocken Riesling (Saar)
GermanyJuicy and fruity, with crushed stone, cardamom and tarragon flavors that shows ...See Full ReviewN/A -
Nik Weis 2021 St. Urbans-Hof Wiltinger Alte Reben Riesling (Mosel)
GermanyThis is what you are looking for in a Riesling of this ...See Full Review$27 -
Robert Weil 2021 Spätlese Riesling (Rheingau)
GermanyThis is on the more elegant style of spätlesen, with vibrant acidity ...See Full Review$45 -
Wittmann 2021 Estate Trocken Riesling (Rheinhessen)
GermanyFlavors of peach, baked apple and tropical floral notes introduce this Riesling, ...See Full Review$25 -
Tesch 2021 Unplugged Trocken Riesling (Nahe)
GermanyLaser-sharp and focused, this white shows interesting flavors of white raspberry and ...See Full Review$22 -
Robert Weil 2021 Kiedricher Trocken Riesling (Rheingau)
GermanyHere's a graceful example of a dry German Riesling that really shows ...See Full Review$38 -
Fritz Allendorf 2020 Kabinett Riesling (Rheingau)
GermanyNotes of crushed stone bring out the mineral in this version that ...Best BuySee Full Review$19 -
August Kesseler 2020 R Kabinett Riesling (Rheingau)
GermanyThis kabinett falls on the drier side of the spectrum, with smoky ...Best BuySee Full Review$19 -
Wittmann 2021 100 Hills Dry Riesling (Rheinhessen)
GermanyThis is shows almost a light fizz upfront, as some German Rieslings ...Best BuySee Full Review$17 -
Dr. Loosen NV Dr. Lo With Bubbles Alcohol Removed Riesling (Mosel)
GermanyThis gives off some pleasure, with a pretty mousse and direct notes ...Best BuySee Full Review$9 -
Lucashof 2021 Riesling (Pfalz)
GermanyDirect, but nicely knit Riesling, showing slightly sweet notes of yellow apple ...Best BuySee Full Review$16 -
Dr. Loosen NV Dr. Lo Alcohol Removed Riesling (Mosel)
GermanyShows a typical Mosel Riesling profile, but there is an awkward note ...Best BuySee Full Review$9 -
Tatomer 2020 Kick-on Ranch Riesling (Santa Barbara County)
Central CoastCrisp, clean and layered aromas of citrus blossom, tangerine zest and wet ...See Full Review$38
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