what is a riesling
Riesling is a white grape with many names - Weisser Riesling, Rheinriesling, Riesling Renano, and Johannisberg Riesling. Riesling is usually made to be a sweet wine, although it can also create a dry wine as well. In a way, sweet riesling is the 'precusor' to White Zinfandel - Riesling is the wine that sweet tooth drinkers sought out before White Zinfandel became available. The Riesling grape is believed to be indigenous to Germany, and has been planted there since the fourteenth century. Riesling does the best in Germany and in California, but is also grown in the Alsace region of France, in Austria, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Riesling is the most planted grape in the Rhine Valley in Germany, and people who talk about a Rhine Wine (that rhymes!!) are talking about a Riesling.