Riesling

Question 1

Describe Riesling

Answer 1

• An aromatic grape variety that produces wines with pronounced fruity and floral aromas and high acidity
• Can range in sweetness and body
• Flavors range from green fruit (apple, pear) and citrus (lemon, lime) when just ripe, to stone fruit (peach, apricot), tropical fruit (mango, pineapple) and sometimes dried fruit (dried apricots, raisins) with further ripening
• Great balance of acidity to sweetness

Question 2

Riesling winemaking and maturation options

Answer 2

• typically fermented in inert vessels to preserve its floral aromas
• Finest Rieslings can age for years/decades in bottle due to high acidity. Can develop complex tertiary flavors of honey and petrol (gasoline)
• for off-dry or medium styles – removing yeast during ferm or add grape juice
• sweetest styles from ex-ripe grapes (sugar so high, fermentation stops naturally)

Question 3

Most important regions for Riesling

Answer 3

• Germany (predominantly cool climate)
• France
• Australia

Question 4

Describe German Riesling based on area

Answer 4

• Mosel – Due to it’s northerly latitude, Rieslings are typically lighter in body, medium sweetness, balancing the high acidity
• Rheingau – Typically drier with more body
• Pfalz – Dry and medium-bodied
  (p. 31)

Question 5

Describe a French Riesling (Alsace)

Answer 5

• Dry with pronounced aroma and flavor intensity
• Ripe citrus and stone fruit flavors
• Vibrant blossom aromas
• Medium-bodied with high acidity
• Best ones come from individual vineyards (grand cru) and can age in bottle for decades, developing tertiary flavors of honey and dried fruit.
• Sweeter styles are labelled as Vendanges tardives

Question 6

Describe Australian Riesling

Answer 6

• Premium Riesling production in South Australia’s Eden Valley and Claire Valley
• They are higher altitude, and therefore moderate climate
• Produce dry style with pronounced aromas of lime, peach, blossom, and petrol (gas)

Question 7

Labelling in Germany:

• Landwein
• Qualitatswein
• Pradikatswein

Answer 7

• Term for PGI wine in Germany – typically light in body and dry to off-dry
• PDO wines labelled Qualitatswein must come from 1 of 13 wine regions in Germany, and must achieve a higher level of grape ripeness. More intense flavor and fuller in body
• Even higher level of sugar is required, and grapes must come from a single region.

***come back to this p.32

Question 8

What climate does Riesling prefer

Answer 8

• Prefers cool to moderate climates

- Susceptible to botrytis/noble rot