International Riesling Day
Discover the elegant harmony of crisp acidity and luscious sweetness in this renowned white wine varietal from Germany.
Enjoy the delightful celebration of this amazing white grape that has been the foundation of this incredibly iconic wine. International Riesling Day provides a specific time to honor or pay respect to this wine that has captured the hearts of wine lovers all over the world!
Riesling is a floral, fruity white wine that may range from dry to sweet and the flavor notes vary based on the region where the grapes are grown and the wine is produced.
How to Celebrate International Riesling Day
Get involved with International Riesling Day by participating in different activities and events, such as some of these:
Visit German Winemakers
One of the best ways to get to the roots of the Riesling wines is to visit the place where they came from originally.
These grapes originated from the Rhine river region, which runs not only through modern Germany, but also parts of Austria, France and Switzerland. In celebration of International Riesling Day, take a little trip to the Rhine river wine growing region which is at the heart of it all.
Celebrate with Riesling Wines
Wine enthusiasts can appreciate this opportunity to pop open a bottle of Riesling wine and enjoy it responsibly.
Make it even more special by inviting a few friends over to host a wine tasting opportunity in honor of International Riesling Day!
International Riesling Day FAQs
Why is March 13th chosen for International Riesling Day?
March 13th marks the earliest documented mention of Riesling. On this day in 1435, a cellar log from Count Katzenelnbogen near the Rheingau region recorded the purchase of Riesling vines.
How did Riesling become known as the “King of White Wines”?
In the 19th century, German Rieslings were among the world’s most expensive white wines. Their high quality and aging potential earned them the regal nickname.
Are there any myths or misconceptions about Riesling?
Many believe all Rieslings are sweet. In reality, Riesling ranges from bone-dry to lusciously sweet, depending on production methods and regional styles.
How do different countries uniquely celebrate International Riesling Day?
In Norway, wine bars in Oslo and Bergen host special Riesling tastings and seminars. In Finland, there’s a tradition of baking Riesling-themed cakes to mark the occasion.
What are some unusual food pairings with Riesling?
Riesling’s versatility allows it to pair with spicy Asian dishes, fried foods like fish and chips, and even rich desserts. Its high acidity balances diverse flavors.
How does Riesling’s flavor profile change with age?
Young Rieslings exhibit floral and fruity notes. As they age, they develop complex aromas, including hints of petrol, adding depth to their character.
Which regions outside Germany are renowned for producing Riesling?
Beyond Germany, regions like Alsace in France, Clare and Eden Valleys in Australia, and the Finger Lakes in the USA are celebrated for their distinctive Rieslings.
What is the significance of the “Riesling Renaissance”?
In the late 20th century, German winemakers revitalized Riesling’s reputation. They focused on quality production, leading to a global resurgence in its popularity.
How does Riesling reflect its terroir?
Riesling is highly sensitive to its growing environment. This sensitivity allows it to express unique flavors and aromas based on soil composition and climate.
Are there any fun facts about Riesling’s production?
Riesling grapes are often harvested late in the season. This late harvest enhances their sugar content, leading to the creation of sweet dessert wines.
While the origins of this wine are in Germany and it remains the world’s largest producer of Riesling today, the grapes have been exported and are now grown in a number of places around the world, including the United States, Australia, South Africa and even sometimes in Chile, Kazakhstan, Romania and other places.
International Riesling Day Timeline
March 13, 1435
First Documented Mention of Riesling
A cellar log from Count John IV of Katzenelnbogen in Rüsselsheim records the purchase of “Riesslingen” vines, regarded as the earliest clear written reference to Riesling.
1464
Early Expansion in the Mosel
Records from the St. Jacob Hospice in Trier show a purchase of “Ruesseling” vines, indicating that Riesling was already spreading beyond the Rheingau into the Mosel region.
1552
Riesling Recognized by Renaissance Botanists
German botanist Hieronymus Bock lists and describes Riesling among the notable vines of the Rhine, helping to standardize its name and affirm its status as a distinct variety.
1787
Official Preference for Riesling in the Mosel
Elector Clemens Wenzeslaus of Trier decrees that inferior vines along the Mosel be replaced with Riesling, signaling governmental support for the grape as a higher‑quality variety.
19th century
Riesling Becomes a Prestige White Wine
By the 1800s, fine German Rieslings from regions like the Rheingau were among Europe’s most expensive white wines and were favored at royal courts, including that of Queen Victoria.
1896
Old-Vine Riesling Established in Australia
Riesling vines planted in 1896 in Australia’s Barossa region, now considered some of the country’s oldest surviving Riesling plantings, mark the grape’s firm establishment in the Southern Hemisphere.
Late 20th century
The “Riesling Renaissance”
After a mid-century slump, German and international winemakers refocused on quality, leading to a “Riesling Renaissance” that restored the grape’s reputation for age-worthy, terroir-driven wines.
History of International Riesling Day
Historians can follow the history of Riesling wine back to at least the 15th century through documentation from Germany.
While many people consider Riesling to be a wine that is lower priced and somewhat sweet, this wine actually has quite a bit of range. A number of expensive, late-harvest dessert Rieslings have come in as some of the most expensive in the world!
While many Rieslings are consumed while young, the high acidity and sugar content make it effective when aged longer. In fact, some German Rieslings that have been aged for more than a hundred years can still be rated highly, but the typical aging range is from 5-30 years, depending on the sweetness.
International Riesling Day was started in 2019 when it was announced by Wines of Germany that it would henceforth be officially known as the birthday of Riesling.
This day provides a perfect opportunity for wine enthusiasts to offer a toast to this beloved wine that is usually ranked in the top three whites, along with Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc. In recent decades, a number of different wines have gleaned their own holidays and Riesling is no exception!
Other exciting days to be celebrated in relation to wine include National Moscato Day celebrated in May, International Grenache Day in September, and Cabernet Franc Day in December.
International Riesling Day Facts
International Riesling Day celebrates one of the world’s most distinctive and historic white wines.
From its unique genetic roots and royal support to surprising aromas and remarkable aging potential, these facts reveal why Riesling holds a special place in vineyards, cellars, and wine lovers’ hearts around the globe.
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Riesling’s Genetic Family Tree
Modern DNA profiling shows that Riesling is the offspring of the nearly extinct French variety Gouais Blanc (known in German as Weißer Heunisch), a prolific “peasant grape” that also parented Chardonnay and many other European cultivars.
This pedigree helps explain Riesling’s naturally high acidity and its ability to ripen in cool climates.
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Monks and Princes Shaped Early Riesling Vineyards
From the late Middle Ages, Benedictine and Carthusian monasteries along the Rhine, together with local nobility, played a decisive role in promoting Riesling by systematically replanting vineyards from mixed field blends to single-variety Riesling, particularly around the Rheingau’s Schloss Johannisberg in the early 1700s. Their patronage helped establish Riesling as Germany’s preeminent white grape by the 18th century.
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A 1787 Decree That Upgraded Entire Hillsides
In 1787, Clemens Wenzeslaus, Elector of Trier, issued an order that inferior grape varieties on the Mosel’s best slopes be grubbed up and replaced with Riesling.
This top-down mandate accelerated the spread of Riesling in one of Germany’s most famous river valleys and shows how wine policy was once shaped by princely edict rather than market demand.
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Why Some Aged Rieslings Smell Like Petrol
The distinctive “petrol” or kerosene note that can develop in aged Riesling is linked to a compound called 1,1,6‑trimethyl‑1,2‑dihydronaphthalene (TDN).
Studies have found that TDN levels increase with bottle age and sun exposure on grapes, and that Riesling’s naturally high levels of certain carotenoids make it especially prone to forming this aroma as it matures.
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How Cool Climates Shape Riesling’s Style
Riesling thrives in cool to cold climates where long growing seasons and marginal ripening conditions preserve acidity.
Regions like Germany’s Mosel, France’s Alsace, and Australia’s Clare and Eden Valleys exploit steep slopes, river reflections, and rocky soils to maximize sunlight and drainage, which helps the grape achieve full flavor while retaining its hallmark freshness.
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Riesling’s Exceptional Aging Track Record
Unlike many aromatic whites that peak young, top-quality Rieslings from Germany and Alsace can age gracefully for decades due to their combination of high acidity and, in sweeter styles, significant residual sugar.
Historical cellars and auction records document Rieslings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries that have remained vibrant and complex well over 50 years after harvest.
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A Global Patchwork of Riesling Plantings
Germany still holds the largest share of the world’s Riesling vineyards, but by the early 21st century, the variety had also become a specialty in places such as Alsace, Austria’s Wachau, New York’s Finger Lakes, Washington State, and parts of Australia and New Zealand.
Each region has developed a distinct style, from bone‑dry, limey Australian bottlings to racy, off‑dry Finger Lakes wines that echo classic German models.
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