Riesling

History and significance

Though traditionally German, Riesling grows best in Alsace, France, California, and Austria. Riesling was first planted in France in 1447. Similar to Semillon, Riesling is prone to being attacked by the "noble rot.” Riesling normally has a partial yield, meaning that a low percentage of the grapes grown can be used to make its typical sparkling and table wines. In Germany, Riesling is usually produced into wine that is a 100% varietal. Riesling can grow well in cool and even cold climates but needs a decent amount of sun exposure.

Though relatively few Riesling grapes grow in Argentina, the majority of those that do are found in Mendoza, which hosts 90 hectares of the variety, San Juan with 15 hectares, and Rio Negro with a mere 4 hectares.  German immigrants in the late 1800s brought Riesling to the New World in the United States, and the varietal was mainly grown in New York.

Typicity

Riesling grapes produce fresh and citric wines with an excellently balanced inherent acidity.  Though the taste depends on where the Riesling vine is grown, it is typically fruity with mineral notes. Perfumed with mostly green apple, grapefruit, rose, or honey, Riesling is rarely aged in oak but rather aged in the bottle. Argentina’s Riesling has a heavy apple aroma.

tags: riesling ·