What is riesling?

Riesling is a white grape variety originating from the Rhine in Germany – and that is where it is most commonly cultivated. It is distinguished by its high, fresh acidity and intense aromatics: citrus, stone fruits, floral notes, sometimes honey. With age, mature rieslings develop a characteristic petrol note, by which they are easily recognised. It is also one of the few white varieties that can age in the bottle for many years.

Riesling – dry or sweet?

Both. Riesling comes in the full spectrum: from completely dry wines (trocken), through off-dry, to sweet ones – such as late-harvest wines or ice wines. The secret lies in the acidity: it is pronounced enough to balance the sugar, which is why even sweeter rieslings are not cloying, but fresh and full of energy.

Where do the best rieslings come from? German regions

The character of riesling changes with the region:

• Mosel – steep, slate slopes above the river produce lighter wines with a lower alcohol content, with delicate sweetness and pronounced minerality.

• Palatinate (Pfalz) – a warmer region in which rieslings have a riper fruitiness; here they tend to be fuller and more often dry.

• Franconia (Franken) – limestone soils (muschelkalk) produce mineral wines that are usually dry.

What to pair riesling with?

It is one of the most versatile table wines. Dry rieslings work wonderfully with fish, seafood, poultry and light salads. They feel particularly at home in the company of Asian cuisine and spicy dishes – the acidity and a hint of fruity sweetness soften the sharpness of the spices. Sweeter styles are worth serving with blue cheeses and fruit desserts.

Our rieslings for Riesling Weeks 2026

In our range you will find a wide selection of German rieslings – from various regions and in many styles. To see the diversity this category offers, we encourage you to take a look at our recommendations:

• Weinbiet Mussbacher Riesling Kabinett Trocken (Palatinate) – a dry wine, fresh and crisp, full of fruity aromas with a well-balanced acidity. It pairs wonderfully with fish, salads and light white meats.

• Divino Riesling Spätlese (Franconia) – a fuller, fruity riesling from Franconia's limestone soils, with aromas of apricot, yellow apples and pineapple. The perceptible sweetness here is balanced by fresh acidity, and the finish is long and fruity.

• Schmitt Söhne Auslese Riesling (Mosel) – a sweet wine composed of late-harvest grapes, with notes of ripe apricots, peach and honey. Full-bodied, with a long finish – excellent with blue cheeses, fruits and desserts.

We also encourage you to check out all the German rieslings in our range.

We invite you to our stores throughout the entire Riesling Weeks period, from 22 June to 19 July. It is a good time to discover just how many different faces a single variety can have.