Riesling

Author: Oleg CherneNowadays, winemakers often rely on artificial flavors and dyes. White wines are the most common victims of this falsification. Millions of clients all over the world enjoy the taste of white wines, but genuine natural white wines are hard to come by.

The production of a good white wine requires far more expertise than a red wine. The main challenge is the dependence of white wine on mineral content, i.e. the root of the vine.

A dry Riesling serves as an excellent introduction into the world of white wines. Riesling never lies. Either it is absolutely delicious, or positively horrible.

Thus, Riesling is a good starting point for those wanting to learn more about white wines. Those who understand Riesling, or at least have some experience with it, are privy to the very secrets of white wine. It is the root, the particular mystical force behind the grape, which makes it stand out against other white wines.

To unlock the true potential of a Riesling, to make it full-bodied and strong, winemakers should first look to improving their Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs. Most wines produced from these grapes have strayed from the true nature of white wine, deceiving both common wine connoisseurs and professional tasters and sommeliers.

The vast number of poor quality and fake white wines on the market does a disservice for Riesling. If not for the ‘vanguards’ of Riesling in Alsace (France), Southern Austria (Kamptal, Weinviertel, Wagram regions, the valleys of Traisental, Wachau and Kremstal), Germany (Rhine, Pfalz and Mosel regions), Australia (Barossa region, valleys of Clare and Eden, Adelaide Hills) and U.S. (Oregon and New York), this wine could be forgotten for good. While Moldova and Marlborough (New Zealand) still produce wines which are «drinkable» at best, they do not possess the same force. For these varieties of grapes, the terroir on which they are cultivated is critical.

Riesling cannot be fundamentally good or bad. It is either true or not true. At its core, Riesling is about the strength of a root in favorable land. Winemaking is a very precise process, almost like the manufacturing of a luxury Mercedes. It is balanced and calculated to the smallest detail. The German Riesling is second to none, although other regions have been known to produce a fine wine as well.