Who says the best Riesling comes from Germany? When you think of New Zealand wine, most people think of Sauvignon Blanc, but the country is also home to excellent Riesling wines. Riesling grapes have been grown in New Zealand for over 150 years, but it is only in recent years that the country's Rieslings have gained recognition on the international stage. With a wide range of flavors from dry and fresh to deliciously sweet, Riesling is New Zealand's fourth most popular and widely consumed white wine.

What does riesling taste like?

Riesling is a white grape variety that comes from the Rhine region. Riesling is an aromatic variety characterized by a floral, almost perfumey aroma and high acidity.

One of the fascinating qualities of Riesling is its ability to produce wines with a wide variety of flavors and styles. Riesling can be dry to a juicy sweet wine, with many variations in between. Dry Rieslings tend to be light and fresh, with flavors of citrus, green apples and minerals. Semi-dry and semi-sweet Rieslings are slightly sweeter and fuller, with flavors of stone fruits and honey. Sweet Rieslings can be incredibly complex, with flavors of apricot, pineapple and honey, as well as floral and spicy notes.

One of the reasons Riesling is so versatile is its high acidity, which helps balance the sweetness in sweeter wines and adds refreshing freshness to drier styles. Its acidity also makes it an excellent food wine, especially with spicy dishes, as the acidity helps cut through the heat and creates a refreshing counterpoint to the flavor.

Areas where Riesling is grown in New Zealand

The climate has the greatest influence on the taste of wine, which is especially true for Riesling. Most New Zealand Rieslings are grown in the South Island, as the variety likes a cooler climate with low humidity. In the South Island, they are Marlborough, North Canterbury, Central Otago, Nelson and Wairarapa.

Marlborough is New Zealand's largest wine region and is famous for its Sauvignon Blanc wines, but it also produces excellent Rieslings. Marlborough Rieslings tend to be crisp and refreshing, with notes of lime and grapefruit. They are often aged in stainless steel tanks to preserve their fresh taste. From Marlborough, you can find rieslings from these wineries - Two Rivers and Clark Estate on our e-shop .

Central Otago is located in the southern part of the South Island and is famous for its Pinot Noir wines. However, the area also produces fantastic Rieslings. Rieslings from Central Otago tend to be dry and minerally, with notes of stone fruit and citrus.

The Nelson area is at the very top of New Zealand's South Island, where the weather is slightly warmer than Marlborough. Riesling from the Nelson region tends to have stone fruit flavors such as peaches and apricots.

Comparison of German and New Zealand Riesling

New Zealand Rieslings are known for their lively acidity, purity of fruit flavors and strong sense of terroir. Their style tends to be more moderate than other Rieslings, with an emphasis on minerality and acidity. New Zealand Rieslings are produced in a variety of styles, from dry to sweet, and many winemakers are experimenting with new techniques to produce unique and exciting wines.

In contrast, German Rieslings generally have higher acidity, mineral and petrol notes and can range from dry to very sweet, while New Zealand Rieslings are fruitier, lower in acidity and usually consumed young.

What to conclude about New Zealand Riesling? New Zealand Rieslings are an undiscovered gem in the world of wine. They offer a unique and refreshing taste with a strong sense of terroir and an emphasis on the purity of fruit flavors. Next time you're planning to buy white wine, don't be afraid to try New Zealand Riesling!

 

Source: nzwine.com