wein.plus
Attention
You are using an old browser that may not function as expected.
For a better, safer browsing experience, please upgrade your browser.

Log in Become a Member

The white grape variety probably originates from Germany. There are more than 150 synonyms, which testify to its great age and worldwide distribution in almost all wine-producing countries. The most important ones, grouped alphabetically by country, are Risling (Bulgaria); Edler Riesling, Gelber Riesling, Gräfenberger, Hochheimer, Johannisberger, Kleinriesling, Klingelberger, Rissling, Rüsseling, Weißer Riesling (Germany); Raisin du Rhin, Rhin, Riesling Rhénan (France); Riesling Renano (Italy); Rajinski Riesling (former Yugoslavia); Rizling Rajnski (Croatia); Rislinoc (Moldova); Rheinriesling, Ritzling (also Riedenname), Weißer Riesling (Austria); Riesling de Rhin (Romania); Johannisberg, Johannisberg Riesling, Petit Rhin (Switzerland); Rizling Rýnsky (Slovakia); Renski Rizling (Slovenia); Lipka, Ryzlink Rýnský, Starovetski (Czech Republic); Beyaz Riesling (Turkey); Рислінг, Rislinok (Ukraine); Fehér Rajnai, Rajnai Rizling (Hungary); Rhine Riesling, White Riesling (California-USA).

Riesling - Traube und Blatt

Parentage & Origin

According to DNA analyses carried out by Dr. Ferdinand Regner in 1998, Riesling originated from a presumably natural cross between (Vitis vinifera sylvestris x Traminer) x White Heunisch (Gouais Blanc). The small berries and frost hardiness come from the wild vine, the spicy notes from Traminer and the Heunisch brought late ripeness, robustness and acidity potential. It should be noted that although Gouais Blanc, the involvement of wild grapevine and Traminer is not certain. According to the latest DNA analysis in 2021, it is a cross between an unknown parent variety x Gouais Blanc. According to DNA analyses, the rare variety Red Riesling is not a precursor but a mutation of White Riesling and the variety Blue Riesling descends from Traminer. Due to morphological similarities, the White Riesling must not be confused with the Crouchen, Menu Pineau, Pedro Ximénez, Räuschling or Sauvignonasse varieties. There is no genetic relationship to Welschriesling (Graševina), whose parentage, however, is unknown. The prestigious name Riesling has often been used misleadingly and partly abusively worldwide:

The Riesling probably originates from the Rhine Valley. It was first mentioned in the middle of the 15th century. In a document from 1435 in Rüsselheim (Frankfurt), an invoice item for Riesling vines appears. Another document mentions a "Rüsseling" in Alsace in 1348. However, it is unclear whether this is the Riesling. The well-known German botanist Hieronymus Bock (1498-1554) writes in his "Kreütter Buch" of the 1546 edition that "Rissling grows on the Mosel/Rhine and in Wormbs". However, the origin is also claimed by vintners of the Austrian Wachau, because there is a vineyard called Ritzling mentioned in documents in the 13th century, but this is not proof.

The variety was probably very often in the vineyard together with other Heunisch/Traminer derivatives such as Elbling, Fütterer and Räuschling in the Gemischter Satz. Only relatively late, from the 19th century onwards, was it planted in pure sets. One exception was the prince abbot of Fulda, who as early as 1716 had Riesling planted exclusively on the Johannisberg he had just acquired. But the variety was controversial for a long time. A document from 1747 reports: "In the Rhingau they have: Gutedel and Elbling as the best variety, Heinisch as the middle variety and Rußling as the worst of the grapes." This can also be explained by the early harvest dates that were customary at the time and officially decreed. The approximately three-hundred-year climatic phase of the Little Ice Age was simply not warm enough for a late harvest, because one had to fear early night frosts. The story of the late harvest rider from 1775 probably also ensured that the harvest date was moved from mid/late September to the beginning of November. As the weather warmed up from the middle of the 19th century, the Riesling became established and is now one of the world's very best - the Cépages nobles. Due to the longevity and finesse of the wines, it is also called "white Cabernet Sauvignon".

Direct descendants

Due to its outstanding characteristics, the variety has been used for about 200 new breeds. The three institutes Geilweilerhof (Palatinate), Geisenheim (Rheingau) and Weinsberg (Württemberg) were particularly active. The most important offspring are Alb de Yaloven, Aris, Arnsburger, Aromriesling, Augustriesling, Aurelius, Bacchus, Bouquetriesling, Breidecker, Comtessa, Dalkauer, Dalmasso 12-40, Diamantmuskat, Donauriesling, Dr. Deckerrebe, Edelmuskat, Ehrenfelser, Elbriesling, Emerald Riesling, Feinmuskat, Feinriesling, Firnriesling, Floricica, Frühriesling, Goldriesling (1), Grando, Gyöngyrizling, Hibernal, Hölder, Johanniter, Jo Rizling, Kerner, Klosterneuburg 44-8, Kocsis Zsuzsa, Lafayette, Louisette, Madeleine x Angevine 7672, Manzoni Bianco, Marienriesling, Merzling, Misket Varnenski, Morava, Müller-Thurgau, Multaner, Muscat de la Republique, Muscat Dore de Semis, Muskatblume, Muskatbouquet, Muskatduft, Muskatriesling, Naumburg 5016-37, Negritienok, Noblessa, Noria, Optima, Osiris, Oraniensteiner, Osteiner, Panonia, Président Carnot, Primera, Prinzipal, Quanbai, Quanyu, Rabaner, Rieslaner, Rieslina, Riesliner, Riesling Bulgarski, Riesling Forte, Riesling Lion, Riesling Magaracha, Romeo, Rotberger, Ruling, Sauvignon Cita, Sauvignon Gryn, Sauvignon Sary, Scheurebe, Siegfriedrebe, Therona Riesling, Thurling, Witberger and Zähringer.

Properties

The late-ripening vine is resistant to frost and downy mildew and only slightly susceptible to powdery mildew and botrytis. It thrives particularly well in relatively cool growing zones over slate and primary rock on sunny steep slopes. The wines are generally characterised by a harmonious taste with high acidity and extract, but rather moderate alcohol content, as well as diverse, fruity aromas of apples, apricots, grapefruits, passion fruits, peaches, roses and lemons. When talking about wines, they are often described as steely, racy and mineral. However, it depends on the soil conditions which of these are pronounced. The Riesling is said to be particularly good at expressing the character of a soil (terroir). With age, it develops an almond and also petrol tone, an aroma appreciated by fans. The greenish-yellow colour changes to a shimmering golden hue. Riesling wines usually have a potentially extreme shelf life, Prädikatsweine last 20, 30, 40 years and longer. A particularly impressive example is a 421-year-old Würzburger Stein that was still drinkable (see also under oldest wines).

Riesling - Rebstock und Aromenglas

Areas under cultivation

As the most common variety in Germany, the Riesling occupies a total of 23,960 hectares of vineyards with a continuing upward trend. The wine-growing regions with the largest share are Mosel with one third of the total area, as well as Rheingau and Mittelrhein. However, the variety is represented in all 13 growing regions. Ideal conditions are found on the Mosel, where many experts believe the best Rieslings are to be found. The importance of the variety is also reflected in the VDP classification model. The Pro Riesling (Mosel) association successfully strives to promote the vine. The name Klingelberger is used especially in Baden in the Ortenau area for special Riesling clones and has special significance there.

Other countries in Europe are Bulgaria, England, France mainly Alsace (4,025 ha), Greece (1.5 ha), Italy (1,461 ha), Kazakhstan (111 ha), Croatia (625 ha), Luxembourg (162 ha), Moldova (1,701 ha), Northern Macedonia (900 ha), Austria (1.986 ha), Portugal (13 ha), Romania (6,121 ha), Russia (2,232 ha), Switzerland (19 ha), Serbia (1,361 ha), Slovakia (620 ha), Slovenia (607 ha), Spain (184 ha), Czech Republic (1,172 ha), Turkey (3 ha), Ukraine (1,350 ha) and Hungary (1,261 ha).

Overseas, these are Argentina (93 ha), Australia (3,114 ha), Brazil (6 ha), Chile (413 ha), China (1,600 ha), Japan (22 ha), Canada (1,188 ha), New Zealand (767 ha), South Africa (152 ha) and Uruguay (12 ha). In the USA, the total is 4,952 ha in the states of California (1,600 ha), Michigan, New York, Oregon and Washington (2,600 h). In San Francisco (California), the International Riesling Foundation was founded in 2007. In 2016, a total of 59,805 hectares of vineyards were designated, with an upward trend. This results in 14th place in the global grape variety ranking (Kym Anderson).

Grape and leaf: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
Flavour glass: Info@faberpartner.de - 100 different on dibond, acrylic etc
old vine: by Ove123 on Pixabay

Voices of our members

Markus J. Eser

Using the encyclopaedia is not only time-saving, but also extremely convenient. What's more, the information is always up to date.

Markus J. Eser
Weinakademiker und Herausgeber „Der Weinkalender“

The world's largest Lexicon of wine terms.

26,367 Keywords · 46,924 Synonyms · 5,323 Translations · 31,701 Pronunciations · 201,864 Cross-references
made with by our author Norbert F. J. Tischelmayer. About the Lexicon

EVENTS NEAR YOU