Wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs worldwide love Riesling, but why is that?

We explore just that.

Riesling's popularity stems from northern European countries, with Germany being the largest promoter for many years.?

One of the main reasons Riesling (pronounced [REE] + [SLING]) is such a loved variety is that it is a morphic variety, a chameleon of some sort.?

One can find Riesling planted anywhere where the climate is deemed cool enough. From Germany through Poland, France, and Australia, wherever you think grapes are grown for wine production, you can find a tiny pocket of Riesling.?

This grape can showcase various flavours, from the minerality of slate soils to the aromatics of limestone-rich vineyards or the tropical fruit flavours of warmer climates. Riesling makes a fantastic variety of Riesling tastes, and to try to guess where it has grown.?

Acidity. Yes, acidity.?Riesling is known for its high acidity, which provides a refreshing sensation when you take a sip. This acidity is consistent throughout the palate, making drinking enjoyable. Simply put, Riesling enthusiasts would find it hard to get tired of while drinking it.

Long live Riesling.?Some of the most sought-after wines in the world are old Riesling, thanks to its acidity, concentration, and flavours that develop into something beautiful when aged. The highest-quality Riesling, such as?Clos de Saint Hune?from?Trimcach,?JJ Prum?Goldkapsel?from Mosel, and many others, can live upwards of 30-40 years, if not longer.?

Range of styles. Imagine if Chardonnay was also famous for Late Harvest Wines or Ice Wine and its dry and sparkling wines. We would be living in a Chardonnay Monopole world.?

Well, Riesling can do the above well, too. This is also the biggest oxymoron in the wine world because Riesling was first introduced to the global market semi-sweet and fruit-forward in the 1970s through the 1990s with the Brand Blue Nun. It created a false impression that all Riesling is like that. RIESLING CAN BE DRY TOO!?

Let us explore some of the key regions:

Alsace Riesling, for instance, ranges from bone-dry to lushly sweet, offering a spectrum of styles to suit every palate. The vineyards are situated in the foothills of the Vosges Mountains, which provide a cool and dry climate ideal for growing grapes.

The region's terroir also includes a variety of soil types, ranging from granite to limestone, contributing to the wine's complexity. Lastly, its warm days and cool nights, combined with the winemaker's expertise, result in a vibrant yet voluptuous style typical of the region.

In the Mosel region of Germany, The steep slopes and slate-rich soils create an ideal environment for the Riesling grape to thrive. The resultant wines are celebrated for their ethereal aromatics, often described as floral or fruity, and intense fruitiness. Additionally, the wines are known for their racy acidity, which adds a refreshing and zesty character to the wine. Typically, Riesling wines from the Mosel region have an alcohol by volume (ABV) ranging from 6% to 9%, lower than many other wine varieties.

Austria's Wachau region is known for its steep terraced vineyards carved into the banks of the Danube River and the cool climate that allows the grapes to ripen slowly and develop complexity.

The resulting wines have pronounced mineral character and vibrant acidity; the regions' wines often present themselves as subdued.

Australia's Eden Valley is another hotspot for Riesling production, where a "Cool" climate, ancient soils, and high altitude are important to Riesling's distinctive character in the wines. These wines often exhibit citrus and floral aromas with a steely backbone and remarkable ageing potential.