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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Lesehof Stagård 2018 Steinzeug Riesling (Kremstal)
AustriaThis is a truly fabulous wine because of its balance and elegance—and ...See Full Review$75 -
Lesehof Stagård 2018 Ried Pfaffenberg Riesling (Kremstal)
AustriaThis is like an unpolished diamond at the moment, not showing its ...See Full Review$45 -
Prager 2020 Wachstum Bodenstein Smaragd Riesling (Wachau)
AustriaThis is an incredible showing for a youthful wine like this, with ...See Full Review$90 -
Prager 2020 Ried Achleiten Smaragd Riesling (Wachau)
AustriaThis is bursting with tropical fruit, singing across the palate, displaying complexity ...See Full Review$90 -
Ettore Germano 2020 Hérzu Riesling (Langhe)
PiedmontThis incredibly refined white has delicate aromas suggesting fragrant spring flowers, beeswax, ...See Full ReviewN/A -
Lesehof Stagård 2018 Ried Steiner Hund Riesling (Kremstal)
AustriaThis is somewhat reserved on the nose, but it unravels on the ...See Full Review$45 -
Prager 2020 Ried Klaus Smaragd Riesling (Wachau)
AustriaThere is nice viscosity to this Riesling, with its texture caressing the ...See Full Review$90 -
Rudi Pichler 2020 Ried Achleithen Smaragd Riesling (Wachau)
AustriaSilky texture holds court in this floral Riesling. The pleasant mouthfeel is ...See Full Review$96 -
Stift Göttweig 2020 Ried Pfaffenberg 1.ÖWT Riesling (Kremstal)
AustriaThe overall impression of this intriguing Riesling can be summed up as: ...See Full Review$63 -
Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt 2018 Majorat Brut Riesling (Mosel)
GermanyA kiss of singed honey lends warmth to vibrant streaks of lime ...See Full Review$36 -
Stadt Krems 2020 Ried Grillenparz 1.ÕTW Riesling (Kremstal)
AustriaThis is stunning, although subtle at this stage, but somehow it keeps ...See Full Review$48 -
Stift Göttweig 2020 Ried Silberbichl 1.ÖWT Riesling (Kremstal)
AustriaThis is multilayered, revealing something new with each sip. It is seemingly ...See Full Review$63 -
Dr. Wagner NV Brut Sekt Riesling (Saar)
GermanyTake time enjoying the perfume of this blossomy, delicately honeyed sparkler. A ...See Full Review$40 -
Lesehof Stagård 2018 K..l Riesling (Austria)
AustriaThis is the idiosyncratic side of Riesling, with a hoppy, floral impression, ...See Full Review$45 -
Salomon-Undhof 2020 Ried Kögl Riesling (Kremstal)
AustriaThis is an exotic and fresh Riesling that exhibits a mineral feel ...See Full Review$39 -
Leindl 2020 Ried Heiligenstein 1.ÖWT Riesling (Kamptal)
AustriaThis is delicate, yet extremely expressive. Initially, lively apple and honeysuckle do ...See Full Review$66 -
Salomon-Undhof 2018 Ried Pfaffenberg Riesling (Kremstal)
AustriaThis bone-dry Riesling features a gorgeous bouquet of apricot blossom, citrus preserve ...See Full Review$65 -
Prager 2020 Ried Steinriegl Federspiel Riesling (Wachau)
AustriaDelicate white peach, Fuji apple and quince notes mark this juicy Riesling. ...See Full Review$37 -
Rudi Pichler 2020 Ried Hochrain Smaragd Riesling (Wachau)
AustriaThere is a sense of grace in this linear white, along with ...See Full Review$65 -
Leth 2020 Ried Brunnthal 1.ÖWT Riesling (Wagram)
AustriaBeautiful notes of exotic fruit, mark this ripe Riesling. Flavors of guava ...See Full Review$50
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