All about the Riesling grape variety

If you want to know more about Riesling, you are in the right place ! Thanks to this article, you will discover its history and its growing regions, explore its tasting characteristics as well as learn some tips to enjoy it in the best conditions. 

Follow the guide!

History and culture of Riesling

While ampelographers almost all agree in recognizing Germany and the Rhine Valley as the very likely birthplace of Riesling, several hypotheses nevertheless exist regarding its date of appearance.

The most probable of these, however, would be that Riesling is in fact the grape variety Argitis minor, a variety present since Antiquity (1st century BC) within the Rhenish vineyard. The word "Rieslingen" (Riesling in German) only appeared in 1435, the term coming from "riesen", meaning to flow. This name is thought to derive from the grape variety's sensitivity to coulure, a phenomenon causing the vine's flowers to fall and consequently leading to a significant decrease in yields.

Recent DNA tests have identified that Riesling is the result of the crossing of two other grape varieties: gouais blanc (now extinct) as well as traminer, better known as Savagnin and still well established in the Jura.

It was only from the 15th century that Riesling finally appeared in Alsace and it was not until the 20th century and the 1960s that it became the region's leading grape variety.

Today, nearly 60,000 hectares of Riesling are planted worldwide in many countries such as Austria, the United States, Australia, and South Africa.

With 24,000 hectares, Germany accounts for 40% of the world's vineyards, with Riesling alone making up a quarter of the national vineyard.

In France, 4,000 hectares are planted in Alsace (more than 20% of the vineyard)...and that's about it, as it is present in almost no other region of our beautiful country.

Types of wine and aromas of Riesling

While Riesling is, in the overwhelming majority of cases, intended for the production of dry white wines, please note that it is also often used in the blend of certain sparkling wines such as Crémants d'Alsace. It is then regularly blended with Pinot Blanc, Pinot Auxerrois, or even Chardonnay. Also, some Rieslings can have a certain sweetness on the palate and be off-dry, or even sweet !

While this is rarely the case in Alsace, Germany has indeed made it a specialty. In fact, as the German vineyard is particularly northern, winemakers here often choose to retain some of the sugars naturally present in the grapes in order to achieve delicious balances in the wines.

Therefore, if you come across a bottle of German Riesling with one of the following mentions: Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese (BA) or even Trockenbeerenauslese  (TBA), be aware that these terms indicate the sugar concentration present in the grapes at the time of harvest, from the lowest to the highest. 

If we return to France (and therefore to Alsace), Riesling is used in its overwhelming majority to produce dry white wines with a beautiful acidity as well as a great minerality. In terms of aromas, citrus fruits (lemon, grapefruit) and green apple are the most common markers. On beautiful terroirs, aromas of peach, apricot, beeswax and even hydrocarbons (petroleum) can also emerge! 

Finally, Riesling is also known for offering wines with a magnificent aging potential. Indeed, although most of the cuvées produced are intended for consumption within the first three to five years, some Rieslings from the best terroirs can evolve positively over 20 or even 30 years! Incredible aromas of beeswax, undergrowth, and an intensified minerality then appear.

Food and wine pairings with Riesling

With its acidity, beautiful minerality, and rich bouquet of aromas, Riesling is definitely a partner of choice at mealtime.

Thus, with dry Rieslings, sublime pairings are possible with seafood and shellfish (oysters, shrimp, crabs, sea urchins, etc.) as well as grilled fish (Cod, Sea Bass, Sea Bream, etc.).

With complex Rieslings, especially those from certain Grands Crus Alsatian, Lobster or Scallops will also be divine. Finally, Riesling is a grape variety that also pairs very well with goat or sheep cheeses.

If you opt for a semi-dry or sweet Riesling, spicy cuisines (Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, etc.) as well as certain  sweet and savory dishes will then be excellent accompaniments. Some blue-veined cheeses such as Roquefort will also be interesting to combine.

From a serving temperature perspective, Riesling is ideally enjoyed between 8 and 10°C. If colder, you may not detect certain aromas. If warmer, it would lose its pleasant freshness.

You will have understood, depending on its style and terroir, Riesling can meet many of your culinary expectations!

The best wines made from the Riesling grape variety

Although it is difficult to provide an exhaustive list of the best Rieslings, La Cave Éclairée offers you here a fine selection exclusively from Alsace.From enjoyable Riesling to great wines for aging, there is something for every taste and budget !

Domaine Barmès-Buecher

A leading name in contemporary Alsace, the Barmès-Buecher estate embodies a demanding and deeply committed vision of wine. Converted to biodynamics for many years, the estate works its vines as a true living ecosystem, with the goal of revealing the purest expression of the terroirs.

Riesling holds a central place in their philosophy: precise, taut, mineral, always driven by great depth. The Grands Crus, such as Hengst, perfectly illustrate this approach to characterful wines, crafted for aging and gastronomy.

Domaine Mittnacht Frères

Located in Hunawihr, in the heart of Alsace wine country, the Mittnacht Frères estate is renowned for its work in biodynamics and its distinctly pure and elegant style.

Here, Riesling is approached first and foremost as a terroir wine, capable of expressing with finesse both the limestone soils and the iconic grands crus such as Rosacker. The estate’s wines stand out for their balance, natural freshness, and great clarity, offering both accessible cuvées and age-worthy Rieslings of beautiful complexity.

Domaines Schlumberger

A historic Alsace estate, the Domaines Schlumberger possess one of the largest hillside vineyards around Guebwiller, with a high concentration of Grands Crus. The work in the vineyard is particularly demanding, especially on very steep slopes, in order to guarantee optimal ripeness and a true expression of the terroirs.

Riesling is vinified here in a style that is both precise and structured, combining aromatic purity, mineral tension, and aging potential. From iconic cuvées to Grands Crus such as Kessler, Schlumberger offers a comprehensive interpretation of Alsatian Riesling.

You are now an expert on Riesling! All that's left is to take the plunge and make your choice from the beautiful selection of La Cave Éclairée. We promise, you won't be disappointed... cheers!