Everyone loves a good white wine once in a while, and of the various whites out there, Riesling is certainly a popular option. But this German wine, with its similarly-named grape, commonly finds itself in one of those peculiar situations: The wine becomes so widely-known that most people overlook what it actually is.

Those more well-versed in white wines bear with us, as we take a quick gander into what Riesling exactly is, and why you should definitely give it a try (If you haven't already!). 

What is Riesling?

If you've been with us for some time, you might remember this particular grape variety being mentioned in our exploration of popular white wine grapes. If not, here's the breakdown:

Riesling is a close friend to Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The third ranking white wine grape globally, the home of Riesling is the Rhine region of Germany, especially the wine-growing sub-regions of Mosel and Rheingau.

Sunshine, cooler temperatures and long autumns create the perfect conditions for grapes to ripen slowly. Riesling has a naturally high acidity and range of flavours that make it suitable for extended aging, some of which are aged up to hundreds of years.

The process to make Riesling is fairly similar to most conventional wines. Truly, the flavors of Riesling are what make it special. In particular, how dry or sweet it tastes is of substantial importance.

Types of Riesling.

A chart of German wine classifications based on sweetness.

The qualification of Riesling styles is not quite as complicated as, say, port, but still demands one's attention if they hope to pick their desired style. These styles might vary, but are centered around the amount of residual sugar in the wine.

Residual sugars determine how "dry" or sweet a wine can get. A wine with high residual sugars (or “RS”), for example, will result in a sweeter wine, and low RS wines will result in a drier expression. The main styles are:

• Trocken: Exceptionally dry with 9g/l of RS or below. It is often lauded for its crisp, clean taste with high acidity and vibrant citrus notes
• Halbtrocken: Dry and with a slightly higher RS at 12 g/l. Pairs well with savory, spicy dishes. There will be a well-balanced acidity that goes with the sweetness, and is said to boast notes of ripe apple, pear, and a touch of floral character.
• Feinherb: Off-dry and often used as an alternative label for Halbtrocken, as well as for wines that are slightly sweeter than Halbtrocken. 
• Liebliche: A fully sweet wine with up to 45 g/l RS. Often likened to dessert Moscatos, it translates to "charming," reflecting the wine's perceived sweetness and softness. It retains a light, fruity character with notes of apple, pear, and a touch of floral aroma.
• süß or Süss: The sweetest of all Rieslings with more than 45g/l RS. It has a pronounced sweetness, often with notes of ripe peach, apricot, and honey. The acidity is said to provide balance in expressions such as these, but are also known to take a backseat. 

How do they taste?

Classic flavours you might expect in a Riesling!

 Core characteristics include vibrant acidity, which acts as a refreshing counterpoint to the wine's inherent fruitiness. Aromatically, Riesling is expressive, offering a spectrum of scents from green apple and citrus to peach, pear, grapefruit, apricot, and even floral notes like honeysuckle.

The taste is also affected by residual sugars. Sweeter riesling wines may have stronger tastes of apricot and peach, whereas dry rieslings has a greater intensity of notes such as apple and apricot. Some sweet Riesling dessert wines can even develop spicy aromas of ginger, cinnamon, and anise.

As the wine ages, it can even develop complex aromas of petrol, lanolin, or honey.  Of the various ways the flavor might evolve, some unusual tertiary notes noted include kerosene or rubber.

Why is it so popular?

Riesling's popularity stems from its exceptional versatility. Unlike many other grape varieties, it can produce a vast range of styles, from bone-dry to lusciously sweet. This adaptability only compounds with its ability to express terroir and age gracefully, making each Riesling a delightful change from the last.

Additionally, Riesling's high acidity makes it a perfect pairing partner for a wide array of foods, further enhancing its appeal. Proteins, cheeses and vegetables all fair well with a Riesling pairing, but Riesling also works especially well with spice. Because of Riesling’s sweetness and acidity, spicy food with strong flavors are an ideal match, further encouraging a Riesling pairing!

Lok Bing Hong A budding journalist that loves experiencing new things and telling people's stories. I have 30 seconds of coherence a day. I do not decide when they come. They are not consecutive.