In the March of 1435, Count John IV of Katzenelnbogen's 22-shilling purchase of six Riesslingen vines (later becoming known as Riesling) from a Rüsselheim vineyard gave us our first recorded mention of the new white grape variety, with its genetic makeup hailing from a vine native to Gaul in modern-day France.

The Count was well-known for his love of wine as well, having a special gold-plated silver tankard crafted especially for the consumption of glühwein.

The origins of the name ‘Riesling’ remain somewhat mysterious. Two conflicting theories from the 15th century suggest Riesling derives from Russling, meaning dark wood, or Rissling for poor blossoming - a nod to the vine's poor bloom during harsh weather.

The history of Riesling wine began peacefully, with the viticulture being quietly tended to by monks and noblemen throughout the 15th and 16th centuries. Listed in German Botanist Hieronymus Boch's beautifully illustrated Kreutterbuch of 1577, Boch describes Riesling as "growing on the Moselle, Rhine and the district of Worms".

That said, it wasn't for another two hundred years that Riesling took its place as Germany's most popular white wine. Following the Thirty Years' War and the French taking control of the Alsace region, destroyed vineyards were replanted with Riesling, a trend that continued decades later with the Archbishop of Trier's 1787 decree that Riesling varietals should replace the spoilt vines of the Rhineland.

As the Riesling vine continued to dominate the Rhine Valley, Riesling had become a highly sought-after, fashionable wine by the 1850s, fetching higher prices than those of Bordeaux or Champagne.

World Wars I and II brought further destruction to the region's vineyards, and in the aftermath, earlier-ripening vines became the preferred choice, putting a halt to the production of Riesling.

It wasn’t until 1996 when the history of Riesling wine took a turn for the better, becoming the most widely planted vine in Germany once again. 

Riesling is an aromatic grape with notable acidity and is often balanced with residual sugar, giving the wine a crisp, citrus taste. Rarely oaked, the wine has natural fruity flavoxurs and floral aromas, with notes of: 

• Apricot
• Peach
• Lime
• Honey

Riesling is an excellent example of a grape variety expressing terroir, with the taste of Riesling varying depending upon the origin of production and the environment in which the vine is grown. 

The Riesling of Germany is often sweeter than its Alsace counterpart, a more dry, leaner-tasting wine. However, floral and citrus flavours are often evident across variations. 

A white wine rarity due to its potential for improvement after ageing, Riesling has been known to be enjoyed at an age surpassing 100 years from bottling, with the oldest bottle of Schloss Johannisberger Riesling dating back to 1748. 

Aged Rieslings are infamous for their potent scent akin to petroleum or kerosene, with the powerful fragrance acting as the hallmark of an aged wine's quality among Riesling enthusiasts. 

Thanks to its versatility, balance, and acidity, Riesling pairs well with different foods and flavours. The harmonious pairing with spicy food is a well-documented combination, with Riesling proving to be an excellent accompaniment to Southeast Asian cuisine, as well as traditional foods of the Rhine such as: 

• Schnitzel 
• Bratwurst 
• Knack d'Alsace 

 

One-third of Germany's Riesling is grown in the Moselle Valley. The sun-soaked vineyards that cling to the slate hills create the ideal environment for cultivating light, naturally fruity Riesling. 

In 125 towns, almost 5,000 winegrowers nurture their wines in a region of dramatic and challenging landscapes. The Moselle Valley is home to some of the steepest vineyards in the world, and sharp inclines require most of the region's wine to be picked by hand. The arduous picking process occurs on vertiginous slopes, with some sites built upon an astonishing 70-degree gradient. 

If you were to go south along the Rhine from the German city of Koblenz, you'd arrive at another of Riesling's most important regions, the unique and multilingual French territory, Alsace. 

The Alsatian wine region is a stone’s throw from the timbered architecture of the historic Alsatian capital, Strasbourg, and stretches alongside the cobbled streets of Colmar down to the commune of Thann in the south of the region. 

Alsace's Germanic influence has impacted the history of Riesling in the province; though subtle differences in the geology, climate, and winemaking process assure that Riesling d'Alsace has unique characteristics. 

Alsace has been home to Riesling cultivation since the 15^th century. Today, at the foothills of the Vosges Mountains, 20% of Alsace's vineyards are dedicated to Riesling vines. Being the more southerly region, the growing cycle of Alsatian Riesling begins earlier than across the border in Germany, and a collage of different soils and substrates – from limestone to clay, shale, granite, and sandstone - influence the various flavours of Alsatian Riesling. The mountains, hills, and plains are all cultivated, creating a gamut of terroirs and aromas. 

Riesling once lived in the shadows of other European white wines, with its reputation dented by poor quality imitation Rieslings in the 1960s and 70s, often mistaken for the genuine article. 

Today, sommeliers around the globe frequently place Riesling at the top of the list of best white wine grapes in the world. The wine's beautiful home regions attract visitors seeking an unrivalled harmony of magnificent scenery and exquisite wines direct from the source. 

From humble beginnings, the noble grape now ranks among the top three white grape varieties worldwide, and year after year, its popularity continues to surge. 

An Emerald Cruises river cruise throughout Europe’s iconic waterways offers our guests the chance to uncover each city, town, and village we visit through a number of included excursions. For those guests looking to delve a little deeper and truly immerse themselves in local life, our DiscoverMORE programme offers a wealth of opportunities.

Unearth the Riesling growing regions of the Rhine and Moselle with our extra-special DiscoverMORE excursions. In Kehl, tour the Alsace wine route with a tasting; in Rüdesheim, enjoy a wine tasting at Schloss Johannisberg; and from Koblenz, visit the Moselle Valley and Cochem Castle. Ready to uncover Europe and Riesling-producing regions of Germany and France? Download your free European river cruising brochure to learn more about our itineraries and DiscoverMORE programme.