Riesling, along with other noble varietals such as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, is considered to be one of the finest white grapes in the world. Consumers often only think of Riesling as a sweet white wine, with little acidity, thanks to cheaper, mass market examples like Hochtaler and Blue Nun. Riesling, however, has the ability to offer a wide range of styles from extremely dry to rich and sweet.

Well-made examples achieve a balance of sugar and acidity that allow the wines to age gracefully for years. With age, Riesling will often exhibit aromas of ‘petrol’ or ‘kerosene’. Acidity is key for allowing Riesling to age well, and even the sweetest examples will retain high levels of acidity.

Riesling originated in Germany, where, along with neighbouring Alsace, France, some of its greatest wines are still made. It is also very popular in Australia and is grown in the USA and successfully in Canada.