Riesling

Riesling is a white noble grape variety grown in all the famous regions throughout Germany including the steep slate covered slopes of the Mosel Valley and further south to the Pfalz and the volcanic Baden region.

It is one of the 4 varieties that can be named Grand Cru in Alsace, France if it is grown in a Grand Cru vineyard. In Alsace, which lies on the border with Germany and has belonged to Germany in its history, the wines differ to Germanys in that they are made in a more oxidative style which results in fuller bodied wines.

In Australia, the Clare Valley is famous for its very high acid lime driven wines whilst Eden Valley produces pronounced floral, spicy examples. Tasmania also is a prolific producer of high acid wines due to its cold climate.

In Western Australia, the Great Southern, which is a very large region consisting of Denmark, Albany, Mount Barker, the Porongurups, and Frankland, is a source of many fine wines that demonstrate citrus characters and linear acid structure.

Further west to Pemberton, which benefits from a cool continental climate homogenous to Burgundy in France, Riesling is pioneered by Bellarmine Wines where 3 styles are produced. These wines all share complexity. The dry style has lemon sherbet and lime notes with subtle white floral characters with the acidity providing length and structure.

The half-dry style has slightly less alcohol as the yeast are stopped from fermenting the wine to dryness, resulting in approximately 25g/L residual sugar. The Select Riesling has the most sweetness and least alcohol and has riper fruit flavours yet still with finely balanced acidity giving a clean finish.