Riesling
Riesling, the flagship of German viticulture, best reflects the characteristics of the soil (terroir).
Cultivation
Riesling is a grape variety that matures very slowly. This is also the reason for its fruity acidity. Its leisurely ripening makes it ideal for northern growing areas. Here it has the time to finish its ripening in the late autumn sun. Riesling is very demanding on the site and, in contrast, has few needs for the soil. Light and also medium soils are the ideal foundations for Riesling vines. Wines from the Riesling grape are highly regarded worldwide. Several top vineyards are planted with the Riesling grape, both in Germany and in other countries.
Place value
In 2021, 24,318 hectares, or just under 40% of the total vineyard area, were planted with Riesling vines in Germany. In Rheinhessen, 5,156 ha (19%)* of the total vineyard area were planted in the same year. In Harxheim, 19.1 hectares, or almost 25%* of the vineyard area, are currently planted with the Riesling grape. Their share has increased by almost 30% in our area in the last 20 years, as our southern slopes are very favorable for them.
Riesling
Image source: Marion Schenk
Riesling in the line
Image source: Marion Schenk
History
Riesling vines were first mentioned in writing – at that time still under the name Rüssling – in Worms in 1402. Another mention was made in an invoice dated March 13, 1435, which states that for the planting of a new vineyard, vines of a new white wine variety were purchased. Of these vineyards in Rüsselsheim there are also earlier accounts from 1401, but in them the vine Riesling is not mentioned and therefore not documented. Riesling has thus been cultivated in Germany for over 600 years.
It is only recently that one has been able to determine the origin of the Riesling grape more precisely through genetic studies. Riesling is in all likelihood a cross between a wild vine from Traminer and a native wild vine from the Rhine. Heunisch was later crossed into this vine.
Vinification
Riesling is still considered the flagship of German viticulture. Here the winemaker can show what he can do. The Rieslings are available in all quality levels and flavors. Sometimes they are also aged in wooden barrels very traditional. They come in the form of uncomplicated everyday wines with a very rich selection of predicate wines. In higher quality levels, Rieslings can also be found as residually sweet or noble sweet variants. If the winemaker gives the slowly ripening grape the opportunity to hang on the vine for a long time, it develops its typical aromas. Riesling is able to interpret excellently the local characteristics of the soil on which it grows. In the glass, the Riesling has a pale yellow to greenish-yellow color.
Pleasure
The aroma that meets you in the glass is dominated by the peach or apple. Some Rieslings reach drinking maturity only after years. For a top wine, the shelf life is almost unlimited. Dry and semi-dry Rieslings are popular with light dishes such as boiled meat with light sauces, steamed sea and freshwater fish, or even small domestic poultry. Semi-dry and sweet Spätlese wines, in turn, go very well with a cream cheese. Noble sweet Auslese and also a fruity sweet Spätlese are the ideal companion to a fruity dessert.
German Wine Institute 2022, as of 07.12.2022: White grape varieties Riesling https://www.deutscheweine.de/wissen/rebsorten/weisse-rebsorten/riesling/
Chamber of Agriculture Rhineland-Palatinate, EU vineyard register, status 2022
Rheinhessenwein e. V. 2022 White grape varieties Riesling https://www.rheinhessen.de/riesling
Wikipedia Riesling https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riesling
