May, 2008
The Noblest White Grape and Terroir
Many experts agree that Riesling best expresses the notion of terroir…
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Riesling: Vine to Glass
Riesling is used to make dry, semi-sweet, sweet and sparkling wines
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Soil and Climate Types
Slate is the classic Riesling soil, although the grape also grows well…
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Riesling’s Wondrous Character
Riesling is a very hardy grape variety that thrives in cool climates and relatively poor soils. The grape requires a long growing season to ripen properly. In warmer climates, Riesling can lose its acid backbone, which is a main characteristic that helps make the wine bright, complex and balanced. Riesling wines generally do not respond [...]
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Sacred Places: Riesling Growing Regions
Keep Your Enemies Closer…to Riesling
Global Riesling Case Production
As of 2004, Riesling was estimated to be the world’s 20th most grown variety at 48,700 hectares.
Country
Region
Acreage
Year Reported
Germany
Mosel
12,891
2006
Germany
Pfalz
12,508
2006
France
Alsace
8,319
2007
Germany
Rheinhessen
7,889
2006
Germany
Rheingau
5,982
2006
Germany
Württemberg
5,152
2006
USA
Washington
4,404
2006
Germany
Baden
2,947
2006
USA
California
2,861
2007
Germany
Nahe
2,621
2006
Australia
Clare Valley
2,188
2007
New Zealand
New Zealand
2,144
2007
Canada
Ontario
1,859
2005
Australia
Barossa Valley
1,317
2007
South Africa
South Africa
1,030
2002
Australia
Eden Valley
931
2005
Chile
Chile
830
2006
Australia
Western Australia
736
2005
Austria
Kamptal
736
2006
USA
Oregon
710
2007
USA
New York
700
2007
Canada
British Columbia
678
2006
Australia
Padthaway
625
2007
Germany
Franken
600
2003
Austria
Kremstal
460
2006
Austria
Wachau
456
2006
USA
Michigan
350
2007
Australia
Tasmania
272
2005
Read more: Global Riesling Case Production
Screwcaps
Better with Age
It’s often a surprise that some white wines have greater ageability than many red wines. Riesling wines have, for the most part, great aging potential. The aging potential comes from the naturally low pH (and high acidity) of Riesling wines as well as from Riesling’s mineral aspect, or at least, that is what is theorized. [...]
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What’s All This Talk of Minerality?
What is this minerality thing? Most rocks when ground to smithereens do not have much taste or flavor. Nevertheless, few would dispute that Rieslings grown from differing soil profiles often exhibit extremely different organoleptic characteristics. Because of the lack of interference of other elements – malolactic fermentation, oak, elevated alcohol levels, etc. – one can [...]
Read more: What’s All This Talk of Minerality?