| The Riesling grape variety is quite unique in that it | | | | soften and display all of its hidden characteristics. |
| preserves its identity wherever it is grown, unlike | | | | This is absolutely vital for any wine that is to be |
| many other varieties. Not only is it grown in | | | | laid down for many years. |
| Germany, from where it originated, but also in | | | | 3. It is full of lovely delicate citrus flavours and |
| neighbouring Alsace and Austria, Italy, California, | | | | aromas with tasting note examples like: |
| cooler parts of Australia, New Zealand, South | | | | 4. - "with tropical fruit and lychee characteristic" |
| Africa and Chile. | | | | 5. - "grassy lemon, lime and some underlying |
| Most wine drinkers would give the Riesling a wide | | | | sweet melon" |
| berth in the supermarket aisles when searching | | | | 6. - "peach, apricot and green apple fruit aromas" |
| out a white wine, aiming for the highly over rated | | | | 7. A slight petillance or spritz (carbon dioxide |
| Chardonnay or the safer Sauvignon Blanc. But, | | | | bubbles) makes the wine crisp and refreshing |
| very few people would consider a Riesling dry | | | | acting like a sorbet to cleanse the palate before |
| wine to be of interest, and there are several | | | | the rest of the flavours are detected. This slight |
| reasons why it is considered by some | | | | fizz tends to happen more in wines made in |
| professionals, to be the queen of wines. | | | | stainless steel tanks where the hygiene is |
| Unfortunately, most wine drinkers have come | | | | excellent. The CO2 bubbles are the captured |
| across those dreadful sweeter Rieslings produced | | | | remains of the fermentation - a sign of good |
| in Germany, in the 1970's and later, for a very | | | | winemaking. |
| unsuspected mainly British market. These wnes | | | | 8. After detecting the spritz, the taste buds will |
| were produced for consumers who only wanted | | | | now find a few more complex flavours such as |
| one thing from a wine, low cost. The word 'quality' | | | | rich honey and oily aromas giving the wine a long |
| was not really big in the vocabulary then, so | | | | steely finish. These flavours will change slightly |
| quantity certainly outstripped quality. Many | | | | with time, and that is why this is such an |
| drinkers indulged on those insipid, sickly sweet, | | | | interesting, versatile variety. |
| uncharacterful wines - but how things have | | | | Are there any good sweeter Rieslings nowadays? |
| changed for the better. | | | | Absolutely. There are numerous attractive sweet |
| Nowadays, wine drinkers have become much | | | | wines like the Auslese and Eiswein styles which |
| more perceptive about what type of wine and | | | | are affected by botrytis, or 'noble rot'. This rot is |
| style they drink. This in turn has meant that | | | | considered 'noble' as it encourages a high |
| winemakers have put quality to the forefront of | | | | concentration of sweetness from the fungus |
| production in order to make what the | | | | affected ripe grape, which is highly desirable. |
| supermarkets demand on behalf of their more | | | | The long history of Riesling has meant that it has |
| knowledgeable public. So, not only do we have a | | | | been used in stock grafting with over 40 crosses |
| wine drinking public who are most interested in | | | | being made in the last 100 years. This has enabled |
| their choice of wines, we also have winemakers | | | | its strong characteristics to be passed on to the |
| who have raised their game to produce | | | | subsequent stock. A typical example is: |
| wonderful, interesting wines to match. This is | | | | - Riesling x Sylvaner = Muller Thurgau |
| good for both parties, and is why the Riesling | | | | - Riesling x Trollinger = Kerner Matching Riesling |
| variety is getting more of a look in. | | | | with food: It is excellent with a cheese fondu, |
| So why do I think that a well made dry Riesling is | | | | fennel baked with Parmesan, globe artichokes or a |
| the best white wine? | | | | beef Stroganof. Alternately, enjoy it on its own |
| | | | as an aperitif. |
| 1. Firstly, if the growing year is good with lots of | | | | The acclaimed wine writer and Master of Wine, |
| sun, plenty of natural sugars will be produced to | | | | Jancis Robinson, says, |
| create that desired amount of natural sweetness | | | | "Riesling is so clearly one of the world's great |
| to balance the higher acid content of this variety. | | | | vines, arguably that which produces the finest |
| (Note: Natural sweetness is very different to | | | | white wines of all"from her book 'Vines, Grapes |
| artificial sweetness). | | | | and Wines'. |
| 2. Riesling produces a good acidity level which is | | | | So, is Riesling the best white wine? Well, if grown |
| vital for its ageing potential, (low acid wines don't | | | | and ripened well - it sure is a contender! |
| age well). Therefore as the wine ages it will | | | | |