Riesling
Along with Chardonnay, Riesling is one of the top white grapes in the world. It is an aromatic grape that can produce dry to very sweet dessert wines. It is most popular in Germany, Alsace and Austria, but excellent varietal wines can be found throughout the world including in Australia and New York. Riesling-based wines typically express notes of apple, citrus, honey and petrol. You can use Wine Enthusiast’s online Buying Guide to find the top-rated Riesling among our extensive Riesling wine reviews and easy-to-use database. Our Riesling reviews will give you a general idea what to expect from wines made from Riesling, and will help you find one that best suits your needs.
Dr. Loosen 2001 Erdener Treppchen Eiswein Riesling (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer)
- $200
Dr. Loosen is one of the great estates of Germany, able to produce wonderfully expressive wines. Here is a hugely sweet wine, delicate and fresh, with flavors of maple syrup and mangoes. Enormously complex wine in flavor, but there is nothing—a mere 6.5%—in alcohol. —R.V.
— R.V.
(3/1/2003)
Dr. Pauly Bergweiler 2001 Graacher Himmelreich Eiswein Riesling (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer)
- $100
Acidity combined with sweetness dominate this wine, whose freshness contrasts nicely with its intense sweetness and overwhelming acidity. It should age indefinitely. —R.V.
— R.V.
(3/1/2003)
Hans Lang 2001 Hattenheimer Wisselbrunnen Beerenauslese Riesling (Rheingau)
- Online Exclusive
The 45-acre Hans Lang estate is run by Johann Maximilian Lang from the winery in Hattenheim. With this Beerenauslese, he has been able to extract all the best elements of botrytis. It is beautifully intense, full of ripe, sweet fruit, with tangible flavors of raisins and honey. The palate is silky smooth, voluptuous, opulent. There is enormous intensity.
— R.V.
(1/1/2004)
Franz Künstler 2001 Hochheimer Kirchenstück Eiswein Riesling (Rheingau)
- Online Exclusive
- $150
This wine is the perfect example of the difference between the huge richness of a TBA and the relative delicacy of an Eiswein. Like pure syrup, it trickles through the palate, leaving flavors of ripe apricots, of orange marmalade and of intense honey. The intensity of the fruit flavors masks the high acidity but does show up the lightness that stays in the mouth.
— R.V.
(1/1/2004)
Balthasar Ress 2001 Hattenheimer Nussbrunnen Trockenbeerenauslese Riesling (Rheingau)
- Online Exclusive
- $170
A blockbuster wine, hugely sweet and rich wine with powerful botrytis and honey. There are flavors of honey and acacia and an opulent layer of rich dryness. The underlying acidity gives the wine an enormous potential.
— R.V.
(1/1/2004)
Beringer 1998 Special Late Harvest Johannisberg Riesling
- $20
At nearly six years of age, this sweetie has picked up an old gold color, and has developed true bottle bouquet: ripe apricot nectar, pear liqueur, caramel, coffee and honey, gingersnap, vanilla custard, among other aromas and flavors. Enormously sweet, and the alcohol is only 8 percent. High acidity creates a whistle-clean finish.
— S.H.
(9/1/2004)
S.A. Prüm 2002 Graacher Himmelreich Eiswein Fass 56 Riesling (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer)
- $195
Layers of sweet mango, pineapple and citrus fruits are beautifully balanced on a razor’s edge of bright acidity. Hints of apricot add complexity to the aromas, while the finish extends for what seems like minutes.
— J.C.
(8/1/2004)
Greenwood Ridge 2003 Late Harvest White Riesling (Mendocino Ridge)
- $25
Wonderfully rich and decadent in botrytis and fruit, just bursting with apricot jam, orange liqueur, honey, vanilla and smoky oak flavors. Pretty sweet, but never cloys due to the refreshing acidity. Totally addictive with vanilla ice cream.
— S.H.
(2/1/2005)
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