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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St. Urbans-Hof 2020 Piesporter Goldtropöpfchen Auslese Riesling (Mosel)
GermanyIntensely smoky, earthen notes of crushed stone and pine resin juxtapose bright ...See Full Review$36 -
Ulrich Langguth 2020 Piesporter Günterslay Auslese Riesling (Mosel)
GermanyShards of slate and salt collide with piercing lemon and lime flavors ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$35 -
Ulrich Langguth 2020 Trabener Gaispfad Trocken Riesling (Mosel)
GermanyThe salty, slaty nose on this spry, steely white points you unmistakably ...See Full Review$23 -
Bastgen 2020 Berncastel-Cueser Weisenstein Trocken Riesling (Mosel)
GermanyA crush of smoke and slate accent rich white peach and grapefruit ...See Full Review$41 -
Dr. Heidemanns-Bergweiler 2020 Bernkasteler Badstube Auslese Riesling (Mosel)
GermanyHints of dried ginger and saffron lend a spicy, smoky tone to ...See Full Review$33 -
Peter Zemmer 2021 Riesling (Alto Adige)
Northeastern ItalyHeady aromas of white spring flower and yellow stone fruit form the ...See Full Review$20 -
Future Perfect 2021 C5 Vineyard Riesling (Los Olivos District)
Central CoastSharp aromas of honeydew spritzed with lime juice and seasoned with Jolly ...See Full Review$48 -
Mac Forbes 2020 EB 60 Aromanticism White (Yarra Valley)
VictoriaAs the name suggests, this radiant gold-hued blend of Riesling and Gewürtz ...See Full Review$30 -
Peter Nicolay 2020 Ürziger Würzgarten Dry Riesling (Mosel)
GermanyA step up from their basic dry bottling, this single-vineyard Riesling highlights ...See Full Review$20 -
Love & Squalor 2018 Sunnyside Vineyard Riesling (Willamette Valley)
Willamette ValleyThis wine is over three years old and is showing evolution. Diesel ...See Full Review$38 -
Von Schleinitz 2018 Weissenberg Auslese Riesling (Mosel)
GermanyThis is a boldly fruity, intensely concentrated auslese packed with flavors of ...See Full Review$36 -
Dr. Heidemanns-Bergweiler 2020 Single Vineyard Ürziger Würzgarten Dry Riesling (Mosel)
GermanyHits of crushed white pepper, slate and salt extend from nose to ...See Full Review$20 -
Dr. Heidemanns-Bergweiler 2020 Single Vineyard Wehlener Klosterberg Offdry Riesling (Mosel)
GermanyA subtle whiff of jasmine blossom introduces this delightfully fruity, floral white. ...See Full Review$25 -
Clean Slate 2020 Riesling (Mosel)
GermanyWisps of smoky, stony minerality abound in this delicately off-dry, juicy Riesling. ...Best BuySee Full Review$10 -
Dr. Heidemanns-Bergweiler 2020 Riesling (Mosel)
GermanyBold streaks of sun-drenched yellow peach and nectarine are accented by hints ...Best BuySee Full Review$13 -
Raimund Prüm 2020 Essence Riesling (Mosel)
GermanyLovely white floral and smoky mineral tones on the nose mingle into ...Best BuySee Full Review$14 -
Ulrich Langguth 2020 Gourmet Feinherb Riesling (Mosel)
GermanyBarely a whisper of sweetness laces through this salty, pleasantly mouth puckering ...Best BuySee Full Review$14 -
Dr. Heidemanns-Bergweiler 2020 Blitz Riesling (Mosel)
GermanyPretty white peach and nectarine flavors are accented with honey and blossoms ...Best BuySee Full Review$11 -
Ulrich Langguth 2020 Gourmet Trocken Riesling (Mosel)
GermanyThis fresh-fruited, invigorating white is dry in style yet plump with green-apple ...Best BuySee Full Review$14 -
Mezzacorona 2020 Filobianco White (Vigneti delle Dolomiti)
Northeastern ItalyA blend of Riesling and Sylvaner, this opens with heady aromas of ...Best BuySee Full Review$14
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