Riesling is undoubtedly one of the most popular white grapes in the world. It can easily capture everyone’s taste buds, but many people don’t know it well.
Today we take an in-depth look at this fascinating grape variety.
1. Germany
Riesling is one of the oldest varieties in Germany, with historical documents from 1435 documenting the cultivation of Riesling in the Rheingau region.
Almost all of the best vineyards in Germany’s wine regions grow Riesling.
Among the many grape varieties, the Riesling white grape, which accounts for at least 1/5 of the grape production in Germany, is the most representative grape variety.
2. Aroma
The most important characteristic of Riesling is its intense aroma. In fact, the aromas of Riesling are not only intense, but also incredibly layered and complex.
A fruity, sweet Riesling that can still be “dry” on the palate is one of the fascinating characteristics of Riesling.
Typical aromas of Riesling include: apple, pear, apricot, citrus, rich minerality and even the legendary “gasoline”!
3. Gasoline smell
Riesling’s unique “gasoline” aroma is often seen in aged Riesling, and it is also an aroma that many wine lovers especially love.
Chemists have pointed out through research that the source of the gasoline smell in wine is an aromatic compound called TDN.
TDN is usually produced in Rieslings made under the following conditions: overripe fruit, abundant sunshine, warm soil and lack of water environment, and these are the climatic conditions for brewing top Riesling.
Because of this, many wine lovers regard “gasoline” as one of the hallmarks of high-quality Riesling.
However, winemakers from Germany and Australia, the big country of Riesling, seem to have reached a consensus on one point:
If the new vintage Riesling wine has too much gasoline smell, it is a sign of a defective wine; the gasoline smell in the old vintage Riesling wine is not only a characteristic of Riesling, but also a characteristic pursued by many wine drinkers.
4. Adaptability
Riesling matures earlier in warmer climates, and the wines produced are usually plain and simple, not sophisticated and complex.
In colder regions, Riesling has a long ripening period, harvesting from September to December (in the northern hemisphere), and can be made into dry white, sweet white, noble rot and ice wine.
On the whole, the fruit flavor substances are concentrated and the acidity is condensed. The resulting wine has fine and strong aromas such as floral, citrus fruit, honey and mineral aromas. At the same time, the high acidity makes the aging potential very strong.
Post time: Mar-30-2023