Chapter 8 Riesling Flashcards
What are the main characteristics of Riesling?
A cold hardy grape which needs cool to moderate growing conditions
It’s an aromatic grape variety which produces wines with pronounced fruity and floral aromas with high acidity
The specific fruit flavours vary according to the level of ripeness at the time of harvest. Just ripe grapes produce wines with green fruit and citrus flavours. Extra ripe grapes give flavours of stone fruit and tropical fruit and sometimes even dried fruit.
Styles of Riesling vary from dry to sweet and from light to full bodied.
Riesling retains acidity and builds up sugar slowly. As such it is suitable for late harvesting in dry sunny autumnal conditions. The sugars, acidity and flavours can be concentrated by late harvesting, botrytis or as a result of freezing on the vine.
The finest Riesling wines can age for years……it’s high natural acidity preserves the freshness of the wine while it develops complex tertiary flavours of honey and petrol.
Germany:
Cool climate with three main regions.
Mosel. Due to northern latitude typically lighter bodied wines, medium sweetness to balance very high acidity. Best vineyards are planted on steep south or south east facing slopes on the Mosel.
Rheingau. Vineyards situated on steep south facing slopes on north bank of Rhine. Typically drier and more body than Mosel wines.
Pfalz. Climatically an extension of Alsace in France. Protected by mountains to the west, has a dry sunny climate with a long growing season. Typically dry and medium bodied.
France:
Alsace. East of the Vosges mountains, one of the driest and sunniest wine producing regions of France. Vineyards are planted in the mountain foothills facing east or south east to benefit from the morning sun. Long periods of sunshine extend the growing season long into the autumn allowing grapes to ripen slowly and gradually.
Typical Alsace Riesling is dry with pronounced aroma and flavour intensity. Ripe citrus and stone fruit flavours and vibrant blossom aromas. Medium bodied with high acidity.
Best wines come from individual vineyards called grand crus. They can age for years/decades in the bottle and develop tertiary flavours of honey and dried fruit.
Australia:
Best Riesling produced in South Australia Eden and Clare valleys. They are higher altitude regions with moderate climates. They produce refreshing wines, dry in style with pronounced aromas of lime, peach, blossom and petrol.
