Riesling is a traditional grape found along the Rhine river. It was first grown in Germany in the 15th century and in Alsace a few decades later. Riesling covers now roughly 25% of the vineyards in Alsace.

Riesling is the most elegant grape of the Alsace region. It gives dry, neat, graceful and well-balanced wine. Riesling is known to be the finest Alsace wine.

Wine has a light yellow green colour. Older riesling have strong mineral aromas while younger wines offer flowery notes.

Riesling is brilliant with fish, shell-fish, poultry, cold meat and famous Alsatian dishes such as sauerkraut or smoked ham.

A younger Riesling should be served colder (9°C - 48°F) than an older Riesling (11°C - 52°F). Riesling should be drunk after 5 years but a wine is already very good after one or two years.

Riesling grapes grow now in many locations in the US, South Africa, Australia, Bulgaria, Slovakia and beyond. Do not confuse with German Riesling which is mostly a sweet wine but can also be a dry or a sparkling wine.

Read more about Alsace with Amazon.com :
- Wines of Alsace by Tom Stevenson