riesling wine
Sunday, January 31st, 2010
Everything You Need To Know About Riesling
Riesling is an aromatic little white grape, which is full of flavour, sugar and acid. It really takes on the conditions of its surroundings, meaning that the wines reflect the environment in which they are grown, be it the soil type, the climate or how the grapes are treated. Riesling wines come in a variety of styles from very dry through to lusciously sweet.
Styles Of Riesling
Riesling will happily grow in cool climates and where it does the wines have green fruit flavours with floral, and sometimes mineral, notes. In warmer regions, the wines will typically display more tropical flavours, with hints of mango, pineapple and peach. Riesling is rarely oaked, although its high levels of acidity and intense fruit helps develop honey and toast like aromas when aged. The key thing about Riesling is that it is so versatile. So if you have tried Riesling before and didn’t like it, try another style and you might be pleasantly surprised.
Riesling Regions
Germany is the home of Riesling. In the past, much of this has been exported as Liebfraumilch or Piesporter and, as a result, Riesling has gained a somewhat negative reputation for being sickly, sugary and tasteless. However, German Riesling is not all like that far from it. Wines range from light to full-bodied, dry to sweet and with green fruit through to exotic and citrusy fruits. Across the border in Alsace, the long dry autumns provide ideal growing conditions for medium bodied Rieslings, although fuller bodied versions are also produced here. Riesling is also big business in Austria where the wines typically have citrusy, stone fruit flavours with minerally aromas and medium to high acidity.
But its not just the Old World that is suited to the growing of Riesling. Australia produces some fantastic quality Riesling, typically with tropical, citrus flavour fruit and sometimes smoky aromas. Eden and Clare Valleys in particular are the key Riesling growing regions.
Across the water in New Zealand, there are some lovely fruity Rieslings being produced, especially in Marlborough and Nelson. Alternatively, try Riesling from Chile and Argentina where it is often blended with other white grapes such as Viognier or Chardonnay.
Rotten Grapes
It might sound strange but rotten Riesling grapes produce great dessert wines. Natural fungus called Botrytis is encouraged to grow on the grapes. In turn, this sucks the water out of the grapes, concentrates the sugars and creates its own sweet, honeysuckle flavour, which is then bottled as dessert wine. Try it next time you serve a dessert and see for yourself.
About the Author:
Louise Truswell works in the wine industry. She has been writing about wine for couple of years and likes writing about Riesling.
Read more at www.articlesnatch.com
VIDEO: Washington Hills Riesling Wine
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Riedel O Tumblers, Set of 2 Tall and graceful, these stemless glasses are specifically designed to enhance the fruit and acidity of light, sweet wines like Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. Stands 4 1/4″ tall and holds 13 3/4 ounces. Sold in sets of two. Third from left…. |
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Riedel Vinum Zinfandel/Riesling/Chianti Glasses, Set of 2 $38.95 Originally introduced in 1986, Riedels Vinum collection was the first series of machine-made glasses based on the characteristics of different wine varietals. These functional, high-quality glasses are suitable for any occasion, and each perfectly shaped bowl is designed to enhance the flavor of your favorite wine. Zinfandel / Chianti / Riesling glass shown right…. |
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Luigi Bormioli Esperienze Sauvignon Blanc/Riesling Stemware, Set of 4 $22.99 The the tall, slanted bowl of the Esperienze Sauvignon Blanc glass (shown 2nd from right) is designed to enhance Sauvignon Blanc and other delicate whites. The ripples at the bottom of this stemware allow for rapid oxygenation of wine, which provides a greater aroma and a more pronounced flavor. Made of a special lead-free crystal that is more durable but retains the delicate balance and provides … |
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Jancis Robinson’s Wine Course (Introduction and Chardonnay; Cabernet Sauvignon; Syrah/Shiraz and Riesling; Pinot Noir; Fizz and Grape Invaders) [VHS] $9.90 Over the course of five videos, Jancis Robinson gives us a basic understanding of wine: how it is made, how to appreciate it, how to properly store, open, and drink it. Robinson is an expert in the field, editor of The Oxford Companion to Wine, as well as a columnist for the Wine Spectator. These tapes, though, are not just about the drink; just as interesting is her look into the people behind th… |
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Jancis Robinson’s Wine Course – Syrah, Shiraz and Riesling [VHS] $1.67 Pulling the cork out of a wine bottle is frequently no easy feat, and Jancis Robinson looks into the situation in the third installment of her wine course, “Syrah, Shiraz and Riesling.” Riesling, one of the most misunderstood (and most mispronounced–it’s rees’ ling) wines, is a superb dry wine with a bland reputation. Learn how “noble rot” can actually create a lovely sweet wine. Germany’s wine s… |