Beyond core members of the sprawling wine trade, somehow this distinctive style fell from favour decades ago, despite records showing top that German Rieslings once outperformed first-growth Bordeaux by price.
Whether bone dry or lusciously sweet, Riesling’s strength lies in its ability to express a distinctive sense of place — as if one is drinking a distillation of minerals from a vineyard. Let’s take a world tour, beginning with Riesling’s home.
GERMANY: Schloss Reinhartshausen 2018 Hohenrain Riesling Alte Reben
From old vines in the country’s heart at an estate dating to 1337, this layered Riesling has less sugar than many champagnes, with moreish come hither notes of wildflowers and pomelo.
£21.40 (thewinebarn.co.uk)
ITALY: Langhe Riesling Poderi Colla 2021
From the foothills of beautiful Piedmont, this enticing, peach and ginger-scented Riesling is crafted by one of the area’s longstanding family winemakers and sings with fresh seafood.
£17.50 (thewinesociety.com)
AUSTRALIA: Mac Forbes Strathbogie Riesling 2022
From fearless Victoria winemaker Mac Forbes comes a bright, generous, dim-sum friendly Riesling that one merchant described as ‘nana’s lemonade nicked from the counter’. Yes please.
£17 (thewinesociety.com)
SOUTH AFRICA: Catherine Marshall Red Slate Riesling
Hailing from South Africa’s cool Elgin Valley, this wine is determinedly free from animal-derived ingredients because winemaker Catherine Marshall believes the result ‘feels better in our bodies’.
£14.95 (frontierfinewines.co.uk)
AUSTRIA: Gruber Roschitz Riesling Eiswein
An intensely sweet, pineapple, lemon curd and honeycomb-evoking organic Eiswein crafted from grapes harvested frozen on the vine. This one is perfect with pâtés.
