Riesling Flashcards
How is riesling pronounced?
“reece-ling”
What are the range of characteristics of riesling wine?
dry to sweet, light to full body, high acidity, light to pronounced fruit and floral aromas
What does just ripe riesling taste of?
green apple (apple, pear) and citrus (lemon, lime)
What does extra ripe riesling taste of?
Stone fruit (peach, apricot), tropical fruit (mango, pineapple), dried fruit (dried apricots, raisins)
What would Australian Riesling taste of?
lime, peach, petrol
What climates can Riesling be grown in?
cool, moderate and warm climates
What characters do you get when you harvest riesling early? Later?
Green fruit, high acidity, lower sugar
Riper fruit, higher sugar, lower acidity
What is Sussreserve? What is it used for?
What about Botrytis?
What about Eiswein
“Sweet reserve” concentrated grape juice used to sweeten fermented wine
Botrytis is a mould that makes microscopic holes in the grapes skin allowing water to evaporate out and concentrate the sugar and flavours of the wine in order to make sweet wine
Eiwsvein is when the grape is allowed to freeze on the vine, then harvested so that the ice crystal stay on the pulp. The sugars stay dissolved so it really concentrates the wine. Sweet wine also
What fermentation vessel is generally used for Riesling? Why?
Stainless steel to retain floral aromas
Is MLF used?
No as it doesnt suit the style
Blending?
None
What does bottle aging bring to riesling?
gold to amber colour, nuts and petrol notes
List the 6 important regions of riesling
Mosel, Rheingau, Pfalz, Alsace, Eden Valley, Clare Valley
List the stages of the Pradikatswein system
Kabinett, Spatlese, Eiswein, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese
Why can riesling be manipulated to produce concentrated wines
It is early ripening and builds up sugars and acids slowly so that the winemaker can take their time about picking decisions
Describe why riesling is vulnerable to botrytis
It has compact bunches of small grapes
How are off dry or medium styles of riesling produced?
By stopping fermentation early or adding sussreserve.
Will riesling generally always develop in bottle?
Yes
What do each of the Pradikatswein terms mean?
Kabinett - just ripe Spatlese - late harvest Auslese - select harvest Eiswein - ice wine Beerenauselese - select berry harvest Trockenbeerenauslese - selected dried berry harvest
Which Pradikatswein designations are botrytised?
beerenauslese and trockenbeerenauslese
Describe the Mosel. What is the riesling like?
Northerly, cool, with steep slopes and stony soil. The river and stones help the grapes ripen.
Light bodied, medium sweetness
Describe Rheingau, what is the wine like?
Similar to Mosel, more South. Vines on the north bank of the Rhine for better aspect. More south so riper fruit. Medium bodied, drier wines.
Describe Alsace. Where are the best vineyards?
Describe the wine
What labelling terms are used in Alsace?
What tertiary notes are seen in Alsace Grand Cru riesling?
What is Vendanges Tardives wine?
Dry, sunny, long growing season because protected from rain and wind by Vosges Mountains. Best vineyards in the foothills facing south to south-east
Dry, medium bodied, pronounced fruit and floral aromas, high acidity.
Alsace AOC, Grand Cru, Vendiges Tardives
Honey and dried fruits
Pronounce Vendages Tardives
“Vuhn-dazsh Tardiv”
Describe Pfalz, what is the wine like?
South again towards the French border, Vosges Mountains promote dry, sunny climate, long growing season, similar climate to Alsace.
Wine is dry, medium bodied with pronounced fruit and floral aroma, high acidity.
Pronounce Vosges
“Vozsh”
What is the climates of the Clare and Eden Valleys compared to the rest of Australia? Why?
Describe the riesling made there.
Cooler due to higher altitude.
Dry, citrus and stone fruit, floral blossom, gasoline.
What is the name for a style of low quality sweetened german riesling?
Liebfraumilch
