Riesling Revival hits buffers ?

All my drinking life I've been hearing that there is an imminent 'Riesling Revival'..

One winery has decided its not happening

http://blogs.timeslive.co.za/pendock/20 ... -reversal/

Hello Peter,

It is a shame. Perhaps though, the findings are more a judgement on South African Riesling sales than on the 'Revival' not taking hold (which I believe it clearly has elsewhere.) I have no great knowledge of South African wines, but have enjoyed many of the Sauvignons and Chenin Blancs that I have tried (not to mention reds), though I cannot recall a single SA Riesling for sale in the US or in Europe. I think that when the average wine drinker thinks of South Africa they think Pinotage, Syrah, Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc and perhaps increasingly of bordeaux varieties and Pinot Noir. Riesling is just off the radar, at least for me.

Cheers,

Bill

South African Riesling is indeed "off the map" for many but I wonder if that is not largely because those wines stand in the quality shadow of Riesling wines from Germany and Alsace. Indeed I have tasted some South African Rieslings but most of those might be best described as "pleasant little wines".

Best
Rogov

[David M. Bueker]

I have to admit I have never tasted a Riesling from South Africa.

I have to admit I have never tasted a Riesling from South Africa.

Hah!!! And I'll bet that you've never tasted on from Israel either. No fear, tasting notes will follow....

As promised (threatened?), following are tasting notes for the better varietal Riesling wines released in Israel in recent years. Note please that Israeli wineries use the various synonyms for the grape – Riesling, Johannisberg Riesling and White Riesling.

Best
Rogov

Carmel, Johannisberg Riesling, Regional Series, Upper Galilee, 2009: A late-harvest wine, showing a gentle hint of sweetness and fine balancing acidity. On the nose and palate baked apples, lemon custard and crème patisserie notes, all lingering nicely. Drink now-2012. Score 89. K

Carmel, Johannisberg Riesling, Regional Series, Upper Galilee, 2008: Unoaked, medium-bodied, with fine aromatics. Categorized (the law is strange) as off-dry but with a hint of sweetness so gentle that in Germany the wine would be labeled as trocken (i.e., dry), and on the palate generous green apple, grapefruit, lemon curd, minerals and a nice hint of white pepper to add to its charm. Drink now–2012. Score 91. K

Carmel, Johannisberg Riesling, Kayoumi Vineyard, Upper Galilee, 2006: Bright and juicy, more off-dry than sweet, with tangy acidity highlighting green apple, grapefruit and mineral aromas and flavors. Good concentration in a medium-bodied wine that seems to float gently on the palate. Drink now. Score 89. K

Carmel, Johannisberg Riesling, Kayoumi Vineyard, Upper Galilee, 2005: Off-dry but bright and lively, with fine focus and balancing acidity. Unoaked, with tempting peach and apple flavors set off nicely by floral and mineral edges. Elegant and satisfying. Drink now. Score 90. K

Golan Heights Winery, White Riesling, Gamla, 2009: Light gold, medium-bodied, with generous ripe peach and apricot fruits supported nicely by notes of white pepper. Fruit forward enough that some will think it near-sweet. Best as an aperitif. Drink now. Score 87. K

Golan Heights Winery, White Riesling, Gamla, 2008: Light golden straw in color, showing appealing floral, ginger and white peach aromas and flavors, those on a near creamy and lightly oily background. Lingers nicely on the palate. Drink now. Score 87. K

Gush Etzion Winery, White Riesling, Alon HaBoded (The Lonely Oak), 2009: Fresh and bright, this dry Riesling opens with notes of peaches and peach pits, those going on to reveal quince and green apples. Fine lime-flavored acidity and a hint of pea blossoms rise on the finish. Drink now. Score 89. K

Teperberg, White Riesling, Late Harvest, Silver, 2009: Light gold in color, with honeyed guava, peach and nectarine fruits, those opening to notes of sweet, stewed apples. Medium-bodied, with moderate-to-rich sweetness but with fine balancing acidity to keep the wine lively and fresh. Fine as an aperitif, with goose liver dishes or with fruit-based desserts. Drink now-2013, perhaps longer. Score 89. K

Teperberg, White Riesling, Late Harvest, Silver, 2008: Opens with a burst of honeyed quince, continues to nectarine and peach fruits and finally to light notes of pepper and mint. Honeyed flavors throughout. Generously sweet but with fine balancing acidity. Drink now-2013. Score 89. K

Vitkin, Johannisberg Riesling, 2009: Light, bright gold in color, with a typical floral Riesling nose and showing appealing red grapefruit, ripe peach and green apples on a spicy background. Fine acidity here along with notes of Oriental spices on the background. Drink from release-2013. Score 90.

Vitkin, Johannisberg Riesling, 2008: Somewhere in style between the Rhine and Alsace, light gold in color, medium- bodied and with finely tuned balance between fruits and acidity. On the nose and palate generous spices to add charm to white peach, grapefruit and white mulberries. Taking on an appealing light Riesling petrol note. Drink now-2012. Score 90.

Vitkin, Riesling, Late Harvest, 2006: Based on 90% Johannisberg Riesling, with a bit of French Colombard and Viognier blended in, light golden, showing generous sweetness and concentration set off nicely by balancing acidity. Opens to show citrus and dried apricots, those lightly honeyed and on a background of heather and spring flowers. Good intensity and length. This will age nicely. Drink now–2012. Score 89.

The Riesling revival does not seem to have hit any buffers on this board. We are only in the third day of September and there are already 37 posts in the Riesling Wine Focus

I may not be alone in hoping that Riesling never achieves the popularity of Chardonnay with stratospheric prices like those of grand cru white Burgundy.