Riesling

An under-appreciated star of the wine world, Riesling is a versatile grape that embraces all roles, perfectly parlays the script of its terroir, and outshines all others in its enduring style and quality.

Its aroma is often described as fruity, with apples, peaches, melons at the forefront, and underscored with delicate floral tones. Rieslings reflect the characteristics of its terroir, displaying the mineral characteristics of the vineyard’s soil. The combination of high sugar and acid levels means that Rieslings can develop for decades in the bottle.

Riesling was first documented in Germany at the beginning of the 15th century, and while it finds some of its most classic expressions in the vineyards of Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, great Rieslings are produced around the world, particularly where cool climates and slate and sandy soil allow the grape to perform at its peak. Austria, northern Italy and the Alsace region of France are particularly noted for their Rieslings.

In the new world, Riesling was until recently the most widely planted white grape in Australia and still flourishes in the cooler Eden and Clare Valleys. The Marlborough region of New Zealand produces light and delicate Rieslings, while Riesling is responsible, in large part, for Canada’s superb icewine industry.

Riesling reflects the characteristics of its terroir, displaying the mineral characteristics of the vineyard’s soil. The combination of high sugar and acid levels means that Rieslings can develop for decades in the bottle. At the beginning of the 20th century, however, German Rieslings were as highly valued as the great French wines by wine connoisseurs, and the beginning of this century has seen the build of a new Riesling Renaissance.

Did you know?

• Alsace is the only region of France where Riesling is officially allowed and is one of only four varietals that can be planted in Alsace’s grand cru sites. The Duke of Lorraine first noted the quality of Alsatian Rieslings in 1477.
• In 1997, Riesling accounted for 22% of German plantings. The steep banks of the Mosel, Saar and Ruwer rivers, where the vineyards can attract direct sunlight and sunlight reflected off the river surface, produces unique wines known for their low alcohol content, striking aroma, high extract and delicacy of texture.
• The town hall of Bremen, Germany stores Riesling-based wines in the barrel as far back as the 1653 vintage.

Riesling Special Events

• Riffing on Riesling: A Spontaneous Combustion Without Wood - An intense glimpse into the modern-day Riesling, showcasing its many different flavours and styles. (Thursday)
• Ravenous for Riesling - A trade seminar exploring the versatility of Riesling paired with the cuisine by four acclaimed chefs. (Friday; trade only)
• The Timeless Mirror of Terroir with Dr. Loosen - Riesling revivalist Ernst Loosen explores Riesling’s amazing ability to express the unique character of individual vineyards and how that expression develops as the wines age. (Friday)
• Natural Pleasures - German Riesling Bares All - A spectacular luncheon at the Sequoia Grill in Stanley Park investigating the natural flavours of German Riesling, representing different styles and terroirs, matched with the pure and natural flavours of foods from the Pacific Rim. (Saturday)
• Riesling Renaissance - Take a wine tour of both benchmark and emerging regions that produce a variety of styles of Riesling, paired with delights from blue water cafe. (Sunday)
• Riesling Tasting Station - Compare selected Rieslings from around the world at a one-stop station in the International Festival Tasting Room (Thursday, Friday, Saturday)