These Top-Rated Riesling Should be on Your Radar
While varietals like Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay rule the world of white wine, Riesling is the darling.
It can range in expression from bone dry to sweet and is produced around the world, giving it distinct regional expressions.
With strong acidity, it can fall under the category of crisp whites, making it a favorite for pairing with spicy foods from around the world. And sweeter bottles can serve as a delectable dessert in and of themselves.
For wine drinkers who are interested in exploring regional nuances, Riesling is an excellent varietal to focus on.
With that spirit in mind, our Tasting Department pulled together a list of our favorite bottles from Germany, Austria, Australia, New Zealand and beyond.
“This selection includes collectible Rieslings from iconic producers and terroirs, highlighting the grape’s unmatched versatility and longevity,” says Aleks Zecevic, a Wine Enthusiast writer-at-large who reviews wines from Austria, France and Germany (as well as a Riesling superfan). “From Germany’s Rheingau and Pfalz to Alsace’s limestone-rich Grand Crus and Austria’s mineral-driven slopes, these wines showcase precision, craftsmanship and a deep sense of place.”
And while central Europe might be the spiritual home of Riesling, Christina Pickard, a Wine Enthusiast writer-at-large who reviews wines from Australia, New Zealand and New York, has convincing arguments for looking elsewhere for more easy-to-find and affordable bottles.
“For the acid hounds among us, the Aussie style of Riesling is typically bone dry, with racy acidity and heaps of delicate floral and citrus flavor,” Pickard says. “Both Clare and Eden Valleys are spiritual homes for Riesling Down Under, and these producers are two of the best. If drinking young, don’t chill them down too much or the acidity will be too prominent. Sip slightly chilled with oysters or grilled spring veg, or, if you’ve the patience, they’ll age beautifully for decades.”
And don’t count out the Finger Lakes.
“The style here is more Rheingau than Mosel, with richness and structure that means they can age for decades, but also have the density to stand up to spicy, creamy fare like Thai curry or greasy fried fish tacos,” Pickard says. “There’s typically some residual sugar to be found in the Finger Lakes Rieslings, even when they’re labeled dry—which adds to the textural richness—but when balanced with a big zing of acidity, doesn’t feel obviously sweet.”
Read on for the full list.
Germany
Robert Weil 2022 Kiedrich Gräfenberg Trockenbeerenauslese Riesling (Rheingau)
The thick and syrupy texture makes you want to pour this over your crêpes—and you probably wouldn’t regret it. However, this is pure excellence in the glass, with an earth and mineral component that is contributing to the already complex palate. Honey, apricot, lime and spice notes converge, all supported by a brilliant acidity. Starts out creamy, yet its freshness makes it easy to enjoy. A perfect way to end a meal. 98 points. Cellar Selection. — Aleks Zecevic
$513
Mr. D Wines
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Dr. Bürklin-Wolf 2021 Gaisböhl [Monopol GC Trocken Riesling (Pfalz)
There’s a flinty quality to this rather young, but beautifully put-together white, which is framed by firm acidity, while displaying flavors of sea salt-accented smoke, quince, lemon curd, honeysuckle and wet stone. This is really centered around its minerality and texture, with all the other pieces just adding to the symphony. It is sleek and elegant and will only show its best in years to come. Best after 2026. 95 points. — A.Z.
$100
Perrine’s Wine
Alsace
Trimbach 2018 Clos Ste Hune Riesling (Alsace)
Like heavy velvet in texture and weight, but so fine and elegant, this well-focused Riesling possesses a backbone of mouth-watering acidity and offers layers of durian, pineapple, pickled ginger, pink grapefruit candy and stony mineral with a long, savory finish. It is refined and complex, only starting to reveal all of its facets. Drink now–2035. 95 points. Cellar Selection. — A.Z.
$500
The Thief
Hugel 2012 Grossi Laüe Riesling (Alsace)
Lovely aromas of singed lemon peel, star anise and incense waft through the flavors of singed lemon peel, honeycomb, durian and flint in this complex, beautifully developed Riesling. It is finely knit with a suave texture, but well cut and intense just enough to keep echoing on the finish. Drink now–2032. 93 points. — A.Z.
$90
Vintage Wine Cellars
Austria
Von der Vogelwaide 2020 Tandaradai Riesling (Weinland Österreich)
This medium-bodied Riesling is developing beautifully, slowly reaching its peak. There is plenty of character here, starting with a silky texture and an expressive palate, which bursts with ripe peach, eucalyptus and citrus flavors, supported by mouthwatering acidity. It shows great interplay between the fruit, floral and spice details, with concentrated acidity and pinpoint focus. 95 points. — A.Z.
$75
Leon & Sons
Schloss Gobelsburg 2021 Ried Gaisberg Riesling (Kamptal)
$50
K&L Wines
Australia
Grosset 2023 Springvale Riesling (Clare Valley)
From 23-year-old biodynamically farmed vineyards—and from arguably Australia’s most famed Riesling producer—this reveals heady yet delicate aromas of lime leaf, lemon, white floral and talcum powder—with a stony, mineral undertow. It pulses on the bone-dry palate, driving a straight line down the tongue with racy acidity and chalk-dust texture. A multifaceted wine now, this most classic Clare Riesling could age in bottle for well over a decade. 96 points. Editor’s Choice. — Christina Pickard
$50
Plum Market
Henschke 2023 Julius Riesling (Eden Valley)
Appealing aromas of white peach, pink grapefruit, lime leaf and white florals flow to a palate that is very dry and chalky, rounded by the fleshy fruit. The piercing, tangy acidity takes center stage, a lemon pulse to the end. Still a baby, this should evolve beautifully for several decades. 94 points. Cellar Selection. — C.P.
$60
Wine.com
New Zealand
The Boneline 2021 Dry Riesling (Waipara)
Lamp oil, lemon pith and lavender combine on the nose of this North Canterbury Riesling. The palate punches with cheek-sucking acidity, but it’s nicely balanced by a whisper of residual sugar, a slippery texture and bright citrus and honeysuckle flavors that last into the long finish. A really lovely example of this variety in one of the regions that’s most known for it. 93 points. Editor’s Choice. — C.P.
$38
Wine.com
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Settlement 2020 Ashmore Vineyard Riesling (Marlborough)
Intense aromas of kerosene, flint, beeswax and citrus open, followed by a palate that shows a little sweetness, tempering the tingly, racy acidity and bright lemony fruit. The finish is long and mouthwatering. 92 points. — C.P.
$15
K&L Wines
Finger Lakes
Hermann J. Wiemer 2022 Magdalena Vineyard Riesling (Seneca Lake)
Still a spring chicken, this top Riesling—if drunk now—needs a few good swirls in the glass before releasing delicate orange citrus, jasmine and honeysuckle aromas from the clutch of more reductive ones. There’s richness and intensity on the dry, slippery palate, cut with citrusy acidity and a chalk dust minerality to the ultralong finish. This is a wine of complexity and class that should cellar until 2032 or longer. 95 points. Cellar Selection. — C.P.
$40
Weimer
Washington
Long Shadows 2023 Poet’s Leap Riesling (Columbia Valley (WA))
Every year I marvel at how such a marvelous Riesling can be $20. The Poet’s Leap opens with an aromatic ode to lychee fruit, honeysuckle, almond butter and a wisp of petrol. Lemony acidity curls itself around flavors like green honeydew melon, rose water and the sweetness of a slice of peach pie. The 2023 is as good as any in recent memory. Mercy. 93 points. Best Buy. — Michael Alberty
$20
Long Shadows
Canada
Cave Spring 2021 Riesling (Niagara Peninsula)
A sweet and tangy blood-orange aroma fills the air as wisps of petrol and coconut water stake their claim on the fringes. The wine’s elevated acidity and lean, crisp mouthfeel are complemented by flavors of barely ripe pineapple and green tea sweetened with honey. 90 points. Best Buy. — M.A.
$20
Princeton Cork Screw
More Riesling Coverage
- A six-bottle master class to Riesling.
- Steely, dry and elegant: eight German “great growth” Rieslings to try.
- Beyond Germany: three regions making outstanding Riesling.
- A brief history of German Riesling.
- Inside the race to scoop up GG Rieslings.
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