Whole Bunch Wines Guide to Riesling
It's the Whole Bunch Wines Guide to Riesling. We bloody love it, we've hosted multiple tastings to that effect, such as this one. It is deeply versatile and responsible for some of the world's most revered and collectible wines.
We really do love the stuff and we want to teach you a bit more about this wonderful grape variety.
Image Courtesy of Decanter
The Riesling Grape Variety
Much like Chardonnay, Riesling is a deeply versatile grape variety. Generally, it is deeply aromatic and packed with rich citrus notes. However, the true flexibility comes from the level of sweetness. Riesling is especially well suited to lusciously sweet dessert wines. This is due to a key structural characteristic of the Riesling grape variety.
Riesling is a deeply acidic grape variety and dry styles of Riesling wine can be blisteringly acidic with really sharp notes of fresh citrus. This is particularly evident in cooler climates. However, this acidity is also crucial for sweet wines. Over time, sugar accumulates in the grape as the water content decreases. Yet, without the acidity to balance this sugar, you'd get an unbalanced and sickly sweet wine. The acidity provides that mouth-watering sensation and freshness to prevent super-rich dessert wines from being cloying.
This is where Riesling shines. It provides these deeply complex and rich wines, which are still palpably fresh. A unique and rarified experience that often commands a high-price tag. You should particularly be looking out for the sweet Riesling wines from Germany, Alsace and Canada.
Where Is Riesling Grown?
Riesling is grown across the globe, although it tends to thrive the most in cooler to moderate climates, as the hotter climates can take away the acidity of the grapes entirely. So, let's take a look at some of the top Riesling wine regions in the world.
We have to start off with Germany. This is the real homeland of Riesling and it is hard to beat. It is grown up and down the country, but we think the real region of note has to be the Mösel. The region's eponymous river gives it it's name. Vines are planted on steep banks along this winding river. The steep aspect helps to maximise sunlight, while the river traps in heat and slowly releases it throughout the evening.
Germany produces the whole spectrum of Riesling wines, from the lusciously sweet wines labelled Trockenbeerenauslese, to the off-dry to medium Auslese, as well as the blisteringly tart dry styles of wine.
Next up on our list is Alsace. Alsace is actually fairly Germanic both culturally and historically, particularly compared to the rest of France. Due to this fact, it is responsible for a wealth of exquisite Riesling which is often comparable in style to those of Germany.
Our final big Riesling producer has to be Australia. The cooler Australian regions of the Clare and Eden Valleys are responsible for some truly world-class Riesling. Deeply aromatic and wonderfully fresh, but also capable of ageing for a great deal of time. A unique characteristic of the wines from these regions are notes of petrol and rubber.
Beyond that, we'd like to give nods to the Ice Wine of Canada, as well as dry styles of Riesling from the Finger Lakes and Washington State in the USA, Argentina, Northern Italy, China and of course Austria.
What Do We Stock...
Let us run through a few of our favourite Rieslings, which you can purchase for take-away or to drink in at Whole Bunch Wines. If you're looking for a cheese-pairing the staff will have you covered as well! We've also got heaps more on the shelves, so stop in and say hello.
Axel Pauly Generations Riesling
This wine is in an off-dry style, so it has a touch of residual sugar but once again that acidity comes into play. A bit of richness on the palate, gives way to a mouth-watering freshness that displays notes of fresh citrus fruits.
Henschke Peggy's Hill Riesling
Henschke was established in 1868 and has continued to produce wine through six generations of family grape-growing. Henschke Peggy's Hill Eden Valley Riesling is a blisteringly tart and fresh example of this grape variety that delivers with powerful notes of fresh lime juice, before giving way to more subtle notes of orange blossom, lemon balm and fresh ginger.
Kanaan Winery Ningxia Riesling
A really special offering rounds out our top three recommendations. Kanaan Winery sits in close relation to the Ningxia Helan Mountains in China. It delivers a full-bodied punch that provides you with notes of juicy citrus fruits, white flowers, green tea and a hint of petrol, (as good Riesling tends to do). You should also check out their Pretty Pony Cab Sav!
Don't Miss Out!
Make sure to check out our wine tastings and monthly wine club, if you want to try great wines like the ones mentioned in this blog post. Links below:
- Manchester Wine Tastings & Events
- Sauce Subscription (Monthly Wine Club)