wine types
Riesling
Riesling—Our beloved ambassador!
Riesling is not just one of the noble grapes, it is an eloquent ambassador for white wine culture. Around the world, it is beloved by connoisseurs and professionals—not least for its lively and nuanced aromas, from crisply elegant to racy, from mineral and fruity to nobly sweet. The finest Rieslings thrive in cool climate wine growing regions and in steep vineyards. Both conditions are in plentiful supply in Germany, and wines grown here also tease out another inherent aspect of Riesling: an ability to express in its bouquet the individuality of its terroir while still preserving the variety's characteristic savory-fruity acidity. Riesling is also known for its longevity, which allows the bottles to continue developing over long periods. For top bottles, in fact, the cellarability is nearly unlimited. Riesling is indeed a wine like no other.
Riesling—Top marks in all classes
Riesling can be used to produce wines of all quality levels and taste profiles. In some cases, the wine is raised in traditional wooden barrels, in other cases in steel tanks. This allows for both uncomplicated everyday wines as well as a large selection of terroir-forged Ortswein (village level) and single-site Rieslings, as well as finely fruity Prädikat wines.
Riesling—A variety with tradition
Riesling has a long tradition in Germany. The first documented mention of the word “Riesling” in Germany came in connection with the Rheingau, on March 13, 1435, a date celebrated even today as the birthday of Riesling. Evidence suggests that Riesling spread to today’s Rheinhessen and Pfalz in the late 15th or early 16th centuries. The origin of the grape’s name is still a matter of contention. Proposed ancestors include ‘Verrieslen’ (coulure), ‘reißende Säure’ (crackling acidity), ‘edles Reis’ (noble rice) or even Rusling (dark wood)?
Riesling at Schlossgut Diel
Riesling has a long tradition both on the Nahe and at the estate now run by Caroline and Sylvain Diel. That long experience has taught the Diels much about the various talents and quirks of the “queen of grapes.” Including Riesling’s need to be interpreted and re-interpreted with each new vintage, a feat that requires precision, concentration, humility, and passion. But the rewards can be spectacular. For Schlossgut Diel, the time, patience, and hard work invested in this truly special variety are always well spent, bestowing our dry Rieslings with beautiful balance, juicy structure, spicy floral aromas, and concentrated minerality.