The 2nd International Riesling Symposium took place on May 26 and 27, 2014, at Schloss Rheinhartshausen in the Rheingau. Riesling experts from around the world - top winemakers, representatives from the trade and restaurant sector, and journalists – gathered to celebrate, discuss and taste the arguably most noble white grape in the world - Riesling.
I have already provided an overview about the 2nd International Riesling Symposium event: The 2nd International Riesling Symposium in the Rheingau, Germany.
This posting focuses on Australia and New Zealand, more specifically, the wines from Australia and New Zealand that were presented and the winemakers Australia and New Zealand participating in the 2nd International Riesling Symposium.For other specific postings, forthcoming and already released, see below.
Riesling in the World
There are about 47000 hectares planted with Riesling worldwide. Germany – with 22500 hectares – accounts for about half of the total. The second and third largest Riesling producer are the US (mainly Washington State and Finger Lakes Region) with 4800 hectares and Australia with 4100 hectares. But this is only about 1/10 of the total. Alsace follows with 3500 hectares. Alsace, Ukraine and Austria follow with 3500 hectares, 2700 hectares and 1900 hectares, respectively.
Overall, Riesling is really a niche wine, accounting for less than 1 percent of total wine production in the world - but a very special niche wine. In terms of quality wines, Riesling is usually included in the top three white wine varieties, with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Riesling is highly terroir-expressive, meaning that the character of Riesling wines is clearly influenced by the wine’s place of origin.
Australian Winemakers at the 2nd International Riesling Symposium
Jim Barry Wines, Clare Valley
Frankland Estate, Frankland River
Grosset, Frankland River
Henschke, Barossa Valley
Winemakers from New Zealand at the 2nd International Riesling Symposium
Felton Road, Central Otago
Framingham Wines, Marlborough
Wines from Australia and New Zealand at the 2nd International Riesling Symposium
Wines from Australia and New Zealand were included in 2 of the 4 tastings: (1) Rieslings from the New World – More Traditional than Rieslings from the Old World? A Tasting at the 2014 International Riesling Symposium, Germany, Moderated by Stuart Pigott, and (2) Riesling and Aging Potential. A Tasting at the 2nd International Riesling Symposium, led by Caro Maurer, MW, Germany
Rieslings from the New World – More Traditional than Rieslings from the Old World? A Tasting at the 2014 International Riesling Symposium, Germany, Moderated by Stuart Pigott
Australian Terroir
Grosset, 2013 Springvale Riesling
Stuart Pigott: Jeffrey Grosset, owner and founder, has always been an innovator, challenging tradition and questioning accepted practices. The winery was founded in 1981. The vineyard area totals 21 hectares. Production is 11000 cases. Riesling accounts for 70% of the production. The Claire Valley, north of Adelaide, where Grosset is located, is one of Australia's oldest wine regions, best known for Riesling wines. It has a climate of daily extremes.
Grosset, 2013 Polish Hill Riesling
Stuart Pigott: Both are extremely bright wines. Both wines are bone dry. Both wines have strikingly different personalities.
Henschke, 2013, Lenswood Green’s Hill Riesling
Stuart Pigott: Henscke is a sixth generation family estate established in 1868 in the Barossa’s Eden Valley. The vineyard area totals 100 hectares. Production is 40000 cases. Riesling accounts for 10% of the production, Shiraz for 40%. Stephen and Prue Henschke believe in careful traditional winemaking and use organic and biodynamic practices.
Lots of apple notes, high acidity, long finish.
Henschke, 2013, Julius Eden Valley Riesling
Stuart Pigott: Striking acidity, with aromatic layers. One of my Australian favorites. All 4 of them, you could leave for another 20 years in the cellar.
Frankland Estate, 2011, Riesling Isolation Ridge Vineyard
Stuart Pigott: Frankland Estate is a family owned and operated wine producer located in the isolated Frankland river region some 380 kilometers south-east of Perth in Western Australia. It was founded in 1988. The vineyard area totals 30 hectares. Annual production is 20000 cases. Riesling accounts for 30% of the production.
11% alcohol – so much for New World wines being high in alcohol.
Jim Barry, 2009, The Florita Riesling
Stuart Pigott: Back to the Claire Valley. Jim Barry was founded in 1959. The vineyard area totals 243 hectares. Annual production is 80000 cases. Riesling accounts for 30% of the production, Shiraz for 40%.
I cannot imagine a more prototypical Australian Riesling than this one. Has the lime aroma, which is so typical for Australian Riesling. The wine has lost first flush of freshness.
New Style Natural Sweet Rieslings from New Zealand
Felton Road, 2013, Riesling Block 1
Felton Road, 2002, Riesling Block 1
Stuart Pigott: A wonderful combination of wines, showing very well how these wines can age. Mosel has played a role in these wines, but they have their own personality. Demeter-certified viticulture and very simple “hands off” winemaking.
Felton Road was founded in 1991. Annual production is 12000 cases. Riesling accounts for 10% and Pinot Noir for 70%.
Framingham, 2013, Riesling Auslese “F-Series”
Framingham, 2013, Noble Riesling
Stuart Pigott: These wines caused quite a storm at a blind tasting in which I participated. People thought that this was not possible in New Zealand. You have to be daring. Obviously, such wines can not only be made in the Mosel Valley.
Framingham was founded in 1994; it is owned by Sogrape Vinhos. Annual production is 26000 cases. Riesling accounts for 8% and Sauvignon Blanc for 75%.
Stuart Pigott: These and the other wines show that New World wines can be subtle, can be intense, can be mind-blowing.
Riesling and Aging Potential. A Tasting at the 2nd International Riesling Symposium, led by Caro Maurer, MW, Germany
The Tasting
Caro Maurer: Riesling is one of the best grape varieties for aging, because of the acidity and – in some cases – sweetness.
Henschke Australia
2004 Julius Eden Valley Riesling
Caro Maurer: Germans often forget that we have Riesling all over the world. This wine – and the next wine – both have screwcaps, which keeps them fresh. The Henschke Riesling has at least 20 more years of aging potential. A lean, clean, forward style, which is so typical for the region.
Stephen Henschke: Vines are 50 years old, biodynamically made, cool fermentation, bottled early.
All 4 of them, you could leave for another 20 years in the cellar.
Framingham New Zealand
2004 Dry Riesling
Caro Maurer: The vines were planted in Marlborough in 1981. It is a cool climate region. Andrew Hedley’s objective is to make new world wines in an old world style. Stony, flinty, not fruit driven, pure, has its elegance. 5 grams RS.
Dirk Würtz: Unglaublich spannend zu sehen war auch das Reifepotenzial der trockenen Rieslinge aus Australien und Neuseeland. Beide Vertreter aus dem Jahr 2004 standen kaum gealtert im Glas. Herausragend war der Riesling von Framingham aus Neuseeland. Perfekt balanciert, extrem jugendlich. Überhaupt sollte man sich diesen Framingham merken. Seine edelsüßen Weine gehören zum besten, was ich in diesem Bereich in den letzten Jahren getrunken habe.
Postings about the 2014 International Riesling Symposium on schiller-wine
This posting is part of a series about the 2nd International Riesling Symposium in the Rheingau, Germany. Here is a list of the Postings already published and those still coming.
The 2nd International Riesling Symposium in the Rheingau, Germany
A Tour through the Rheingau - Visit of 3 Prestigious, Historic Rheingau Wineries: Weingut Robert Weil, Hessische Staatsweingüter Kloster Eberbach and Schloss Johannisberg, Germany
Rieslings from the New World – More Traditional than Rieslings from the Old World? A Tasting at the 2nd International Riesling Symposium, led by Stuart Pigott, Germany
The Grand Cru Couple from VDP.Grosse Lage – Riesling Grosses Gewächs and Riesling Spätlese. A Tasting at the 2nd International Riesling Symposium, led by Giuseppe Lauria, Germany
Riesling from Danube, Rhine, Nahe, and Moselle: the European Riesling Route - A Tasting at the 2014 International Riesling Symposium, Germany, Moderated by Cornelius and Fabian Lange
Riesling and Aging Potential. A Tasting at the 2nd International Riesling Symposium, led by Caro Maurer, MW, Germany
Wines and Winemakers from Australia and New Zealand at the 2nd International Riesling Symposium, Rheingau, Germany
Austrian Riesling Producers at the 2. International Riesling Symposium in the Rheingau, Germany
German Riesling Producers at the 2. International Riesling Symposium in the Rheingau, Germany
American and Canadian Riesling Producers at the 2. International Riesling Symposium in the Rheingau, Germany
schiller-wine: Related Postings
The 4th Riesling Rendezvous in Seattle: Impressions from the Grand Tasting at Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville, Washington State, USA
The World of Riesling in Seattle - Fourth Riesling Rendezvous in Washington State, USA
Visiting Wilhelm Weil at his Weingut Robert Weil in Kiedrich, Germany
Tasting with Wilhelm Weil the 2010 Weingut Weil Wines in Kiedrich, Germany
Stepping up: From 3 … to 4 Quality Levels - The New Classification of the VDP, Germany
When Americans Drink German Wine - What They Choose
German Wine Basics: Sugar in the Grape - Alcohol and Sweetness in the Wine
1st International Riesling Symposium, Rheingau, Germany
Approaches to Classifying German Wine: The Standard Approach (the Law of 1971), the VDP Approach and the Zero Classification Approach
Riesling, Pinot Noir and Indian Cuisine: A tête-à-tête Dinner with Winemaker Ernst Loosen, Weingut Dr. Loosen, at Rasika in Washington DC, USA
In the Steinberg, Eberbach Abbey, Rheingau, Germany
Top 10 Riesling Producers in the World– Snooth 2012
The German Winemakers at the 4th Riesling Rendezvous in Seattle, USA
3 Wine Tours by ombiasy Coming up in 2014: Germany-North, Germany-South and Bordeaux
VDP Vineyard Illuminations at Johannisberg Castle
The Role of Government - Government Owned Wineries in Germany