My Fair Riesling

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5/18/15 - The evolution of North American Riesling offerings, from simple and sweet to dramatically aromatic and superbly dry make this a thrilling time for Riesling lovers. Newcomers to Riesling will find an array of expressions that were untapped until inspired winemakers championed the grape’s natural qualities in more extreme climates throughout North America.

Before the Riesling diaspora, California was considered the only region suitable for growing Europe’s noble grapes, with German immigrants planting acreage as early as 1857. Here, in the mild California winters, Riesling received a reputation for being soft, full-bodied, and cloying, a reputation that reduced the wine to mere picnic fodder rather than cellar-worthy fine wine. Meanwhile, viticuluralist Dr. Konstantin Frank aquired an underdog reputation of his own for his unusual ideas about growing vitis vinifera in the freezing cold climates of New York in the 1960s. Thankfully, a pioneering attitude was the perfect complement to Riesling’s high natural acidity and ability to rapidly develop high sugar levels in the below-freezing temperatures of the Finger Lakes.​

 In that spirit of Old Glory innovation, we have selected some of our favorites from wineries that showcase the versatility and unique character of this Old World variety. From our neighbors at Red Hook Winery who put an urban spin on their Alexandria School bottling to the lovely folks at Ovum who capture the spirit of Riesling’s Germanic roots, we look forward to seeing how these wines continue to develop and we hope you do too! Amanda Bowman & Lily Sears