white grape · major international
Riesling
Rhineland, Germany
Say it
reez·ling
The 'ie' diphthong is a long 'ee'; the 's' is voiced as in 'z' in standard German, making REEZ-ling accurate for both German and American English. Avoid 'RYE-ling'.
On the palate
How you spot it blind: petrol/kerosene aroma from TDN compound, unique among major white grapes
The story
First written down · 1435, Rüsselsheim, Germany
A 1435 cellar account in Rüsselsheim is the earliest surviving written record of the grape, logging six vine cuttings purchased for 22 shillings.
Family tree: unknown × HEUNISCH WEISS
Where it lives
Mosel, Germany · Rheingau, Germany · Pfalz, Germany · Alsace, France · Wachau, Austria · Clare Valley, Australia · Finger Lakes, USA · Washington State, USA
Shows up as
If you like this, try
Also answers to Reisling, Renano, Riesling Renano, Rheinriesling.
Shop our Riesling bottles