Riesling
White grape · High-acid aromatic white, from bone dry to lusciously sweet.
Unofficial study resource · not affiliated with or endorsed by WSET®In short
High acidity and light body, with lime, green apple, and floral notes, and a distinctive petrol note with age. It is made across the full sweetness range.
Where it grows
Germany (the Mosel and Rheingau), Alsace in France, and Australia’s Clare and Eden Valleys.
Food pairing
Spicy Asian food with off-dry styles, plus pork and seafood.
Why it matters for WSET
The best example of a grape made dry all the way through to very sweet. Its high acidity also lets it age for decades.
Practise your grape knowledge
Grape varieties are core WSET material. Try free practice questions with explanations, then get the full bank and a wrong-answer notebook in the Eclavin app.
Download Eclavin on the App StoreFrequently asked questions
Is Riesling sweet or dry?
Both. Riesling is made in every style from bone dry to very sweet, so check the label or the region.
Why does old Riesling smell of petrol?
A natural compound that develops with age gives fine Riesling its characteristic petrol or kerosene note.