White grape variety

Riesling

Also called Rhine Riesling, White Riesling, Johannisberg Riesling

Riesling is a white grape from the Rhine Valley in Germany, known for high acidity, strong aromas and wines ranging from bone dry to very sweet. It excels in the Mosel, Rheingau, Alsace and Austria. In 2015 Germany had 23,596 hectares, 23% of its vineyards.

Color	White (green-skinned)
Origin	Rhine Valley, Germany (offspring of Gouais Blanc and a Traminer x wild vine cross)
Body	Light to medium
Acidity	High
Typical aromas	green apple, lime, peach, apricot, white flowers, honey, petrol (with age)
Key regions	Mosel (Germany), Rheingau (Germany), Alsace (France), Wachau (Austria), Clare Valley (Australia), Eden Valley (Australia), Finger Lakes (United States)

Origin and history

Riesling comes from the Rhine Valley in western Germany. The oldest known written reference is a 1435 cellar inventory from Rüsselsheim recording a purchase of Riesling vine cuttings, and the modern spelling appears in a 1552 herbal by Hieronymus Bock. DNA research led by Ferdinand Regner found that one parent is Gouais Blanc and the other is itself a cross of Traminer and a wild vine. Global plantings were about 48,700 hectares in 2004. In 2015 Germany had 23,596 hectares, or 23% of its vineyard, and Alsace had 3,350 hectares, about 22% of the region.

Where it grows

The steep slate slopes of the Mosel give famous sites such as Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Bernkasteler Doctor and Scharzhofberger. The Rheingau is home to Schloss Johannisberg and Steinberger, and the Nahe, Rheinhessen and Pfalz are also major sources. Alsace grand crus such as Schlossberg and Rangen make dry, powerful Riesling, as does the Wachau in Austria at Loibenberg. Further afield it thrives in Clare Valley and Eden Valley in Australia and in the Finger Lakes of New York.

Taste, wine styles and food

Riesling's naturally high acidity lets it make every style, from dry (trocken) through off-dry (feinherb) to lusciously sweet. In Germany the Prädikat levels Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese mark increasing ripeness at harvest, and frozen grapes give Eiswein. Young wines show apple, citrus, peach and floral notes; with age they develop honey and the petrol aroma caused by the compound TDN. Australian Riesling often shows lime. The acidity gives exceptional aging potential, and sweet examples can last decades. Riesling is rarely oaked. Dry styles suit fish, pork and Asian dishes, while off-dry ones balance spicy food; see also sweet wine.

Test yourself: the Riesling quiz

Wines made with Riesling (80)

WineGuessr lists 80 wines made with Riesling, from 8 countries. Most come from France (51).

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Riesling: questions and answers

Is Riesling sweet?

Not always. Riesling is made in every style from bone dry to very sweet; German labels marked trocken are dry, while Auslese and higher levels are usually sweet.

Why does Riesling smell like petrol?

The petrol or kerosene note comes from a compound called TDN, which develops as Riesling ages.

Where is Riesling from?

Riesling comes from the Rhine Valley in Germany, where it was first documented in 1435. Germany remains the largest grower.

What does Kabinett mean on a Riesling label?

Kabinett is the lightest German Prädikat level, based on grape ripeness at harvest. It is often light and off-dry, but can also be dry.

Other white grapes

All grape varieties →

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Last reviewed October 2026.