4.1 | Principal White Grape Variety - Riesling

Question 1

Why is Riesling suitable for producing wine of all sweetness levels?

Answer 1

It retains acidity and is susceptible to noble rot

Question 2

How do aromas differ in Riesling made with just-ripe vs extra-ripe grapes?

Answer 2

just-ripe: green-fruit (apple, pear), citrus (lemon, lime)
extra-ripe: stone fruit (peach, apricot), tropical (mango, pineapple), and sometimes dried fruit (dried apricot, raisins)

Question 3

Riesling is a dry, light-bodied wine

Answer 3

false. some riesling can be sweet and full-bodied as well

Question 4

How is off-dry or medium sweet Riesling made? 2 ways

Answer 4

by removing yeast and interrupting fermentation, OR adding sussreserve (sterile grape juice)

Question 5

what types of grapes are used for sweetest styles of Riesling?

Answer 5

extra-ripe grapes where grapes’ sugar is so high that fermentation stops naturally

Question 6

what tertiary characteristics does the finest Riesling develop in bottle?

Answer 6

honey and petrol

Question 7

Important regions for Riesling?

Answer 7

Germany: Mosel, Rheingau and Pfalz
Regionally Important Labelling Terms in Germany:
Landwein
Qualitätswein
Prädikatswein
Kabinett
Spätlese
Auslese
Eiswein
Beerenauslese (BA)
Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA)
Trocken
Halbtrocken

France: Alsace

Australia: Eden Valley, Clare Valley

Question 8

What characterizes Riesling from Mosel and what is the climate there?

Answer 8

climate: south or southeast facing slopes of Mosel River have stony soils. the stones reflect sunlight off river, and aid grape ripening
characteristics: lighter-bodied Riesling, very high acidity. Usually medium sweet to balance high acid

Question 9

True/False: Rheingau Rieslings are drier than Mosel Rieslings and have more body

Answer 9

True

Question 10

True/False: since Pfalz is situated close to the French border, its Rieslings are similar in style to Alsatian Riesling

Answer 10

True. Pfalz and Alsatian rieslings are protected by mountains and enjoy dry, sunny, long growing season. wines are dry with medium body, high acid

Question 11

where are the best sites in Alsace AOC located?

Answer 11

foothills of the Vosges mountains, to receive morning sun

Question 12

what are the key characteristics of Alsatian riesling?

Answer 12

dry, medium body, pronounced aromas of stone-fruit, citrus and blossom.

grand cru vineyards in Alsace produce age-worthy wines that develop honey and dried fruit in bottle

Question 13

vendange tardives

Answer 13

sweeter style Alsatian riesling, made from late-harvested grapes

Question 14

landwein

Answer 14

PGI wine in Germany. Light-bodied and dry or off-dry

Question 15

qualitatswein

Answer 15

PDO wine. Must come from 1 of 13 wine regions in Germany. Grapes riper than landwein

Question 16

pradikatswein

Answer 16

more sugar required than qualitatswein/landwein, grapes from single region. there are 6 categories that fall under pradikatswein, classified by the levels of sugar the grapes have at harvest.

Question 17

what are the 6 categories of pradikatswein?

Answer 17

kabinett - least sugar (light green fruit, citrus, blossom )
spatlese “late harvest” (riper and fuller bodied than kabinett)
auslese “selected harvest” - stone fruit, tropical fruit, dried fruit
beerenauslese “selected berry harvest” - concentrated by botrytis
trockenbeerenauslese “selected dried berry harvest” - concentrated by botrytis. more intense than beerenauslese
eiswein - freezes on vine. stone, tropical, not affected by botrytis

kabinett, spatlese, auslese can be made dry or sweet. auslese would be most alcoholic dry wine (bc higher concentration sugar).

beerenauslese, trockenbeerenauslese, eiswein - grape sugars concentrated on the vine. BA and TBA affected by botrytis where eiswein frozen grapes. All three sweet and low alcohol because yeast dies before it ferments all sugar. can age decades.

Question 18

In Australia’s Eden Valley and Clare Valley, what are the key aromas and flavors of signature style of Riesling?

Answer 18

refreshing, dry, flavors lime, peach, blossom, petrol. Eden Valley and Clare valley have a moderate climate due to high altitude