Riesling Flashcards
What kind of climate does Riesling prefer?:* cool to moderate* warm to hot
Cool to moderate
Riesling is naturally low or naturally high in acidity?
Naturally high
Riesling’s susceptibility to Botrytis/noble rot is high or low?
Riesling is highly susceptible to Botrytis/noble rot.
Describe Riesling’s general profile.
- Fruit-forward (apple, peach, citrus)* Pronounced floral notes (honeysuckle, blossom)* High acidity* Can be made dry to lusciously sweet* Can be light to full bodied
What is the biggest benefit of Riesling’s high acidity?
It balances both ripeness and high levels of sweetness (residual sugar).
Describe the different fruit profiles found in just-ripe Riesling vs. extra-ripe Riesling.
Just-ripe* Green apples* Green pears* Sour citrus (lemon, lime)Extra-ripe* Stone fruits (peach, apricot)* Tropical fruits (mango, pineapple)* Dried fruits (golden raisins)
Name 2 ways that off-dry or medium style Rieslings get their sweetness.
- Interrupting fermentation and filtering/removing yeast, leaving the wine with some residual sugar2. Adding sterile grape juice (Süssreserve) after fermentation
What is Süssreserve?
Sterile, naturally sweet grape juice
How do the sweetest styles of Riesling retain their sugar?
Fermentation stops naturally in the sweetest styles of Riesling.Bascially, there is too much sugar for the yeasts to eat.
Why do winemakers typically ferment Riesling in stainless steel, or other inert vessels, rather than oak?
Oak imparts unwanted flavors that would obstruct Riesling’s delicate floral and fruity aromas.Stainless steel helps Riesling retain those hallmark fruit and floral aromas and flavors.
What structural element helps Riesling age?
High acidity
Name some tertiary flavors that aged Riesling can develop.
- Honey* Petrol (gasoline/Vasoline)
How many wine regions are there in Germany?
13
Name 3 regions in Germany known for making great Riesling.
- Mosel2. Rheingau3. Pfalz (pronounced like “false”)
Which region will have the lightest-bodied Rieslings and why?:* Mosel* Rheingau* Pfalz
Mosel because it is the most northerly and the grapes struggle to ripen.
What helps Riesling grapes ripen in Mosel?
The stony soils – they reflect sunlight and retain warmth which help grapes ripen in this cool climate.
Mosel Rieslings are likely to be which style:* full bodied and dry* medium bodied and dry* light bodied and off-dry/medium
Light bodied and off-dry/medium
Rheingau’s vineyards are located on the north or south bank of the Rhine River?
North bank, facing south so they can be exposed to as much sun as possible.
Rheingau Rieslings are typically drier or sweeter than Mosel Rieslings?
Drier
Climate in Pfalz is:* sunny and dry with a long growing season* cloudy and wet with a short growing season
Sunny and dry with a long growing season## FootnotePfalz is in the rain shadow of the Vosges Mountains, which helps it produce medium-bodied, dry, and textural Rieslings.
Which region in France is known for its dry, intensely-flavored Rieslings?
Alsace
The Pfalz region in Germany is loosely known as an extension of which region in France?
Alsace## FootnoteBoth Alsace and Pfalz are in the rain shadow of the Vosges Mountains.
Alsace is known to be one of the _____ and _____ regions in all of France.
sunniest and driest
Which direction do most vineyards in Alsace face?
East and southeast## FootnoteBecause the grapes in Alsace see mostly morning sun, which is more gentle than hot afternoon sun, the growing season tends to be long and steady, which helps build the flavor intensity in the grapes.
What are the top, individual vineyards in Alsace called?
Grand Cru
Late-harvested grapes in Alsace carry what term on the label?
Vendanges Tardives (VT)
When did Australia first start growing Riesling?
The early 1800s (another way to say it is the early 19th century)
What 2 higher-elevation appellations in South Australia are known for their piercing, refreshing Rieslings?
- Eden Valley2. Clare Valley
Rieslings from Eden Valley and Clare Valley are known to be:* dry* off-dry/medium sweet
Dry## FootnoteRieslings from Clare Valley and Eden Valley are also known to have pronounced lime notes.
Most consumers declare they “hate” Riesling because it’s “too sweet.”What are they misunderstanding about the grape and what can be done to change their understanding?
Most consumers think all Rieslings are sweet and don’t know that Riesling can be made in a dry style (e.g. Alsace or Australia).Also, many consumers assume Rieslings are all the same despite huge differences in quality, ripeness and sweetness levels.Wine professionals need to demonstrate that high-quality Rieslings are versatile, age-worthy, and deliciously flavorful.
Select the correct answer.Germany’s labeling language usually reflects the:* ripeness* sweetness* acidityin the grapes?
Ripeness of the grapes at time of harvest
What is the PGI equivalent in Germany?
Landwein## FootnoteUsually light bodied and made dry or off-dry.
What are Germany’s PDO equivalents?
- Qualitätswein* Prädikatswein
To be labelled Qualitätswein or Prädikatswein, what requirements must the grapes meet?
To be labelled Qualitätswein:* Must come from one of the 13 wine regions* Grapes must achieve higher level of ripeness than Landwein_To be labelled Prädikatswein:_* Must come from one of the 13 wine regions* Grapes must have higher level of sugar than Qualitätswein
Name the 6 Prädikatswein categories from lowest sugar level to highest.
- Kabinett2. Spätlese3. Auslese4. Eiswein5. Beerenauslese6. Trockenbeerenauslese
Which 3 of the 6 Prädikatswein categories may be made dry in style?
- Kabinett2. Spätlese3. Auslese
What term is used on German wine labels indicating the wine is dry?
Trocken
What does the term halbtrocken mean?
Slightly sweet
Why would an Auslese Trocken Riesling be higher in alcohol than either a Kabinett Trocken or Spätlese Trocken Riesling?
Because Rieslings harvested at Auslese ripeness will have more sugar than Spätlese and Kabinett, the yeasts will eat all that extra sugar available in the Auslese giving the wine increased alcohol levels.
Name one way that aids in sugar concentration in Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese, and Eiswein grapes.
By hanging on the vine after harvest is normally completed.
Which category indicates the grapes were frozen on the vine?* Beerenauslese* Trockenbeerenauslese* Eiswein
Eiswein## FootnoteDue to changes in annual weather variation, Eisweins are not made every year.
Which 2 of the 6 Prädikatswein categories must have Botrytis-affected grapes?
- Beerenauslese2. Trockenbeerenauslese
