It is said, that Riesling wines reflect the characteristics of their place of cultivation more than any other wine
Image gallery: Riesling
The history of the white Riesling dates back to the 15th century. The German town of Rüsselsheim am Main as well as the Austrian Wachau valley claim to be the origin of this noble grape variety. One thing, however, is certain: Today, Riesling is among the most high-quality and culturally determining varieties. In South Tyrol, it is grown mainly in the Valle dell'Adige, Valle Isarco and Val Venosta valleys and around the town of Bolzano. The berries are small and yellow-greenish, turning brown with black spots during ripening.
Riesling is a rather demanding variety, which prefers cool regions of cultivation. The grapes ripen very late but do not suffer from cold. In fact, their winter hardiness is exceptional: They resist temperatures down to -25 degrees C. Thanks to its high acidity level, the resulting white wine can be stored for a long period of time and develops a very pleasant maturity. Riesling wines can be light or medium-bodied, the flavour is elegant and lively. The aromas include apricot, peach and rose. A dry Riesling goes well with Chinese dishes and fish, whereas the semi-sweet Riesling is perfect with fresh cheeses. The sweet Riesling can be served as a dessert wine or an aperitif.
Serving temperature: 10 to 12 degrees C
