The Rising Stars of Riesling: Why this Grape is a spring must-try

To celebrate International Riesling Day, we’re exploring all there is to know about this wonderful, aromatic white wine. Including our rising star bottles that are a must-try this spring.

International Riesling Day is celebrated annually on the 13 of March. A day to toast the versatile and age-worthy white grape, which produces some of the world’s best wines.

Quite a hardy grape, Riesling thrives under stress and can even survive frosty conditions, which is why it’s often found in mountainous, cool areas, with some of the best expressions coming from the Mosel in Germany, Alsace in France, and Eden Valley and Clare Valley, in Australia.

Riesling is known for its high acidity, sensitivity to terroir and therefore the ability to take on flavours of the place it is grown, and aromatic and floral profile. The high acidity of the grapes means it can age brilliantly, and over time, these fresh flavours can turn to honied stone fruits, and petrol/kerosene.

A versatile grape, Riesling can range from bone dry to sweet. Often, the lusciously sweet wines are the result of leaving the grapes on the vines longer, so the sugars concentrate. Another way to do this is by allowing the growth of Noble Rot/Botrytis Cinerea, a fungus that attacks the grapes skins, producing sweet wines with flavours of dried fruits and honey, while still retaining the characteristic high acidity.

If you’re ever struggling to decipher how sweet a bottle of Riesling is, here are some tips and phrases that may help you.

Lower alcohol usually means more sugar content in the wine
Trocken = bone dry
Kabinette = dry / off dry
Halbtrocken = lightly sweet
Spätlese = sweet (late harvested grapes)
Auslese = sweeter honeyed (includes some grapes with Noble Rot)
Beerenauslese = very sweet (grapes are often shriveled to raisins by Noble Rot)

The versatility of Riesling is why it’s the perfect wine for spring. The dry, zesty and aromatic styles are ideal for sipping in the balmy spring sun, while the slightly sweeter styles call for cosy nights in or even to accompany a cheese board.

Some of our Favourites

Cave Vinicole de Hunawihr Kuhlmann Platz Riesling

This cooperative was started by a group of small producers in Hunawihr in 1954, but today has member growers throughout the Alsace heartland. A pale straw yellow, this wine is a classic Alsace Riesling, showing ripe pear and peach fruit, braced by a steely acidity. Clean and pure, finishing with a citrussy freshness.

Dr Loosen Graacher Himmelreich Spatlese

Ernest Loosen is one of Germany's top winemakers. This is his late-harvest Riesling from a single vineyard, and it's excellent with a cheese board. It's made on 60-year-old vines on some of the steepest hillsides in Europe. Expect flavours of peach marmalade, candied citrus, and chamomile.

Dr Loosen ‘Graacher Himmelreich’ Riesling Spätlese

Petaluma Yellow Label Hanlin Hill Riesling

Clare Valley is one of Australia's oldest wine regions. To this day, it's most famed for its remarkable Riesling - and Petaluma is one of its best wineries. They carefully choose their vineyards to make the most of the region's amazing grape-growing conditions. The result is a dry Riesling that's bursting with beautiful citrus peel, orange blossom and tropical fruit notes. This is the perfect match for equally aromatic Thai food

Petaluma 'Hanlin Hill' Riesling, Clare Valley

Definition by Majestic Mosel Riesling Kabinett

An exciting collaboration with the prestigious Dr Loosen winery, a leading figure in German winemaking, this wine epitomises the Mosel Riesling style. The grapes are harvested at 'Kabinett' ripeness level, which ensures a delicate balance of sweetness and acidity. With a very pale lemon hue, this wine is light with flavours of lime, green apples, white peach, and Sicilian lemon - and is just 8% alcohol.

Pegasus Bay 'Bel Canto' Riesling, Waipara Valley

In the 1970s, neurologist Ivan Donaldson’s passion for wine led him and his wife Christine to pioneer vineyards in Canterbury, now a top New Zealand region. Their family-run Pegasus Bay estate boasts 30-year-old vines, producing flavourful grapes with vibrant acidity. Bel Canto Riesling, named after Christine’s love of opera, is only made in exceptional years. Richly textured yet fresh, it offers notes of orange zest, quince, melon, and sweet spice. Its off-dry in style and pairs beautifully with dishes that have a touch of heat.

Weingut Dr. Loosen Riesling Beerenauslese Half Bottle

Another brilliant wine from Weingut Dr. Loosen, is this luxurious late harvest Beerenauslese. Grapes affected by noble rot are hand-selected to create a sweet, concentrated wine, showcasing the Mosel’s famed slate soils and cool climate. Expect intensely rope flavours of rich apricot, honey, and orange blossom, with a luscious texture balanced by zesty acidity.