Where is Riesling wine produced?
Riesling is produced in Germany, where it is the leading grape variety, and also in Alsace (France), Austria, Australia, the United States (notably New York's Finger Lakes and Washington State), New Zealand, Canada and northern Italy. Germany's Mosel, Rheingau, Pfalz, Nahe and Rheinhessen regions are among the best known. Riesling suits cool climates.
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In this article
Where is Riesling grown?
Riesling is generally associated with cooler climates, where grapes ripen slowly and keep their acidity. The main countries and regions are below.
| Country | Well-known regions |
|---|---|
| Germany | Mosel, Rheingau, Pfalz (Palatinate), Nahe, Rheinhessen, Baden |
| France | Alsace, where Riesling covers over a fifth of the vineyards |
| Austria | Wachau and other regions |
| Australia | Clare Valley and Eden Valley (South Australia), Great Southern (Western Australia) |
| United States | New York (especially the Finger Lakes), Washington State, and also California, Michigan and Ohio |
| New Zealand | Marlborough, Nelson, Central Otago |
| Canada | Ontario (especially Niagara), British Columbia, Nova Scotia |
| Italy | Northern Italy, including Friuli-Venezia Giulia |
Where does Riesling come from? Old World vs New World
Riesling is most closely linked to Germany, where it is the leading variety. In Austria it is the second-leading white grape after Grüner Veltliner. Alsace in France is the other main Old World source. Australia, the US, New Zealand and Canada are the main New World sources.
How does the style change by region?
- Germany: a wide range from dry (trocken) to very sweet. Germany’s Prädikat system classifies wines by grape sugar at harvest, with labels such as Kabinett and Spätlese.
- Alsace: often described as dry and bracing.
- Austria and Australia: often described as dry, with lime notes common in Clare Valley examples.
- Canada, New York and Michigan: include ice wine (Eiswein), made from frozen grapes pressed for a very concentrated, sweet juice. Ontario is a major producer.
These style notes are general; individual producers vary.
How to pick a bottle
Look for the words dry, trocken, halbtrocken (off-dry), or a sweetness scale on the back label. A lower alcohol level on a German Riesling can hint at more residual sweetness, though not always.
Is Riesling always sweet?
No. Many Rieslings are dry, and the grape keeps high acidity, so even sweet versions can taste fresh.
People also ask
Which country is Riesling from?
Germany is the country most closely associated with Riesling, where it is the leading grape variety.
Is Riesling made in France?
Yes. Alsace is the French region known for Riesling.
Is Riesling grown in the United States?
Yes, notably in New York's Finger Lakes and in Washington State.
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