Australian Rhiesling

[Adam Balic]

This is absolutely my favourite value for money white wine. However, I have much difficulty trying to convince wine savy friends in the UK of this. Am I wrong or are there other factors at play here.

For those who would like some addition information on Australian rhiesling here is a link:

Australian Rhiesling 2002 vintage

n.b. In Australia the Rhiesling variety grown is Rhine Rhiesling, one of the worlds great white wine varieties.

[AdamLawrence]

I think Aussie and Kiwi rieslings are something wine drinkers in the UK (and maybe the US too, I don't know) take a while to come to. Riesling generally is an undervalued grape among mass-market wine drinkers, although that is starting to change: it is an 'insiders' grape. And even among those insiders, most tend to be familiar with the German style, so the Australian/NZ products require another leap.

I haven't had much Aussie riesling, but I've liked what I've had. However I think some of the NZ products are terrific - I think them much more interesting than most Marlborough sauvignon blancs. I like Forrest Estate very much.

Adam

[Adam Balic]

Yes there are some v. good New Zealand Rhieslings, although, in general, they have more residual sugar (although still 'Dry') then the Austalian versions. The trend in New Zealand over the last few years is to make drier style Rhieslings. Lawson's Dry Hills makes good Rhiesling (as well as an excellent Gewürztraminer and value for money Sav. Blanc).

The problem with Australia rhieslings may be that they are far to dry and high in acid for many people (although some people mistake the 'fruit' for sugar). Often they taste like somebody has squeezed a lime into the glass, as they are so fresh and citrus like.

[Kikujiro]

Current and potential riesling fans in the UK may be interested in a tasting event on 17 March. From the blurb:

Together with some other importers of fine wine we are organising a tasting in March of the greatest Rieslings from around the world. We will be showing about 40 estates from Australia, Austria, Germany, New Zealand, South Africa and USA, with many of the winemakers present.  Tickets are available from Jenny Smith at Montrachet Fine Wine Merchants. I hope that you take the opportunity to join us and taste a wonderful range of wines from this under-appreciated grape variety.

Great Riesling Tasting

Royal United Services Institute,

Whitehall, London SW1

Monday 17th March 2003

5.30 pm to 8.00 pm

Tickets: £ 10 each

Available from:

Jenny Smith,

Montrachet Fine Wine Merchants

59 Kennington Road,

Waterloo, London SE1 7PZ

Telephone: 020 7928 1990

Fax: 020 7928 3415

Email: jenny@montrachetwine.com

(I'm assuming the organisers won't mind me posting this info, which came in an email from my local Oddbins.)

[Adam Balic]

DAMN. Would love to taste these Austrian Rhieslings that have got everybody so excited. Am busy.