These Top-Rated Rieslings 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. 

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.

Read on for the full list.

Germany

Germany is the birthplace of Riesling and because of this, you’ll find an exceptional array of bottles from dry to sweet, still to sparkling—and everything in between. The style often depends on the region. Honeyed almost syrupy wines historic to the Rheingau and Mosel while dry bottles are common in Pfalz. Common aromas of German Rieslings include peach, lime and green apple. Flint notes in young bottles mature to petrol with aging.

We’ve selected one example from each region below. Zecevic is partial to the Robert Weil pick, describing it as “the kind of bottle you open when you want to show the world you have taste and patience,” he says.

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