Riesling, the best-known grape variety of the Rhine valley, is generally accepted to have originated in this region.

Together with Chardonnay, Riesling is considered the finest white wine varietal in the world, and the reputation of Alsace Riesling further reinforces its prestige.

Riesling, like Sylvaner, is the latest-ripening of all the Alsace grape varieties. Its great advantage is that it is capable of continuing to slowly mature even at relatively low temperatures. Paradoxically, this means that in average years its bouquet and flavour can often surpass those of earlier-ripening grapes. Its yield is extremely regular from year to year, and at present 23 % of the Alsace vineyard area is planted with Riesling. Harvested when fully ripe, on the finest slopes of Alsace, Riesling gives a wine that is extraordinarily elegant and distinguished. There is remarkable harmony between the elegance of its bouquet, its delicate fruit character, its well-balanced body and the great finesse of its noticeably ripe acidity. Late-picked "Vendanges Tardives" and "Sélection de Grains Nobles" Rieslings are wines of great class, heady, sometimes slightly sweet, rich and beautifully harmonious.

Thanks to its exceptional qualities, it is not surprising that the Riesling is the favourite wine in Alsace itself, as well as being greatly admired in many other wine regions of the world.

Ironically, in some countries the name Riesling has been wrongly given to other grape varieties. Although this could be considered as a form of compliment to the reputation of Riesling, it makes it vitally important to distinguish between the real Riesling of the Rhine Valley and, for example, the so-called Welschriesling, the Riesling Italico, the Clare Riesling of South Africa, etc.

The Alsace wine "par excellence", Riesling can accompany a wide variety of the finest dishes. However, it is unbeatable with fish, shellfish, seafood and, of course, its native Choucroute.