Riesling

Hello,
Today I learned about and tasted Riesling. Riesling was first grown in Germany but is now also grown in France, New Zealand, Canada, and Oregon. This is due to the fact that they love cool climates. The cool climates allow for the acid and sugar to balance while enhancing flavor. Therefore in Australia it is mostly grown in Southern Australia in the Clare Valley and the Eden Valley. Riesling grapes are typically small bunches that are tightly packed that vary from a pale gold and gain dark spots when ripe.
The wine they produce is typically pale straw yellow with green hues when the wine is young. As it ages it becomes more full bodied and develops a rich gold color. It can have many different aromas including citrus, lemon ( especially when young), tropical fruits, floral, guava, and apple. Aged Rieslings can also gain aromas of honey, toast and kerosene. The taste seems to have an apparent acid crispness with subtle viscosity in the mid palate.

In class we tasted three Rieslings

1) Jacob's Creek Classic (2015)
    Made in: Australia
    Alc/vol: 12.1
    Price: $6

Appearance: This Riesling had a pale pale straw yellow color in the core and appeared more white on the rim with hues of green indicating a young and vibrant wine.

Aroma: This has a intense acidic smell but there are also aromas of floral and hints of green apple and honeysuckle.

Palate: There seemed to be a strong taste of citric acid especially the front and mid palate. This intensity falls short of the back palate though. There is also a soft sweetness even though it is very dry and makes your lips pucker.

Overall Quality and Balance: The color is nice but it is a bit watery. Also it falls short as a Riesling due to the acidity.


2) Annie's Lane (2015)
    Made in: Clare Valley
    Alc/vol: 13
    Price: $16

Appearance: This Riesling had a pale yellow color in the core and appeared pale stray yellow on the rim with hues of green indicating a young and vibrant wine.

Aroma: This has very faint and almost undetectable but there are hints of grapefruit and green apple.

Palate: This wine has a strong intensity on the front and middle palate but then falls short in the back palate. It seems like there are slight floral notes and a slight taste of green apple.

Overall Quality and Balance: This was a very nice Riesling and had a vibrant color. It contained many characteristics of a good Riesling.

3) Annie's Lane (2009)
    Made in: Clare Valley
    Alc/vol: 12
    Price: $22

Appearance: This Riesling is golden yellow in the core color and slightly deeper on the rim. This means that it could be aged with oak or be aged. ( since it is a Rielsing though it would not have had contact with oak)

Aroma: This has a strong sense of petroleum and a slight mix of honeysuckle and some citrus fruits.

Palate: This is not as acidic, however there is still a dry sense in the back of the palate. It taste a bit like kerosene.  

Overall Quality and Balance: This was very smooth and had many characteristics of an aged Rielsing.


More wines to come!
Karli