Riesling Flashcards
Characteristics of Riesling
Aromatic Grape
Produces pronounced fruity and floral aromas and high acid.
Fruit flavors in the wine vary according to the level of ripeness at time of harvest.
Just ripe produce wines with flavors of green fruit ( apple and pear ) and Citrus ( lemon and lime )
Extra ripe grapes flavors of Stone fruit ( peach, apricot ) tropical fruit ( mango, pineapple )
Sometimes even dried fruit ( dried apricot, raisins )
Dry to sweet - light to full body.
Retains acidity and builds up sugar and flavor slowly
Suitable for late harvesting in regions where there are dry sunny autumn conditions.
Sugars, acidity and flavors can be concentrated by late harvest through the effect of botrytis or freezing on the vine.
High acid balances the high sweetness.
Winemaking and maturation options
Dry / off dry / medium and sweet.
Off dry and medium styles are usually made by interrupting the fermentation by removing the yeast which leaves a wine with lower alcohol and some residual sugar. Or by the addition of sterile grape juice.
Sweetest styles are made using extra ripe grape. The grape juice is so high in sugar that the fermentation process stops naturally.
Inert vessels as stainless steal tanks to preserve its floral aromas.
Finest examples can age for years or decades in the bottle.
High natural acid preserves the freshness while it develops complex tertiary flavors of honey and petrol.
Important region GERMANY.
Germany has predominantly cool climate with some above 50 degrees of latitude.
Most important grape of the country.
MOSEL - northerly latitude typically lighter in body
Than those from the south. Commonly medium sweetness to balance very high acid. Best vineyards are south or south east facing slopes on the bank of Mosel river. Stoney soils reflect sunlight from the river and aid in grape ripen.
RHEINGAU- steep south facing slopes on the north bank of the river Rhine. Typically drier in style than Mosel and have more body.
PFALZ- toward the French border, protected by mountains to the west and has a dry sunny climate with a long frowning season. Climatically considered an extension of Alsace region, and wines are similar in style. DRY and medium body.
Important regions in France.
ALSACE- AOC lies to the east of the Vosges Mountains which protects the vineyards from rain bearing westerly winds.
One of the driest and sunniest wine producing regions in all of France.
Best vineyards are planted in the mountain foothills facing east or south east to benefit from the morning sun. Long uninterrupted sunshine extend the growing season long into autumn allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and gradually.
Typical Alsace is Dry with pronounced aroma and flavor intensity. Wines have ripe citrus and stone fruit flavors and vibrant blossom aromas.
Medium body with high acid. Can age for decades in bottle developing tertiary flavors of honey, and dried fruit. Sweeter styles are made from late harvest. Labelled Vendanges Tardives.
