In Wachau in Austria, there is a small stream and a small vineyard both called Ritzling, which are claimed locally to have given Riesling its name. However, in 1477, Riesling was documented in Alsace under the spelling Rissling.

Ī map of Kintzheim in Alsace from 1348 contains the text zu dem Russelinge, but it is not certain that this reference is to the grape variety. The modern spelling Riesling was first documented in 1552 when it was mentioned in Hieronymus Bock's Latin herbal. The spelling Rießlingen is repeated in many other documents of the time. Another early mention dates from March 13, 1435, when the storage inventory of Count John IV of Katzenelnbogen in Rüsselsheim (a small principality on the Rhine, close to today's Rheingau) lists '22 ß umb seczreben Rießlingen in die wingarten' ('22 shillings for Riesling vine cuttings for the vineyard'). The earliest of these references ('Rüssling') is from 1402 in the city of Worms, Germany. Riesling has a long history, and there are several written references to the variety dating from the 15th century, although with varying orthography. Ī Kabinett level German Riesling from the Mosel. There are also significant plantings of Riesling in Austria, Slovenia, Serbia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Luxembourg, northern Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, China, Ukraine, and the United States ( Washington, California, Michigan and New York). In Germany, the variety is particularly widely planted in the Mosel, Rheingau, Nahe and Pfalz wine regions.

In 2015, Riesling was the most grown variety in Germany with 23.0% and 23,596 hectares (58,310 acres), and in the French region of Alsace with 21.9% and 3,350 hectares (8,300 acres). Riesling's naturally high acidity and pronounced fruit flavors give wines made from the grape exceptional aging potential, with well-made examples from favorable vintages often developing smokey, honey notes, and aged German Rieslings, in particular, taking on a ' petrol' character. In Australia, Riesling is often noted for a characteristic lime note that tends to emerge in examples from the Clare Valley and Eden Valley in South Australia. A late-ripening variety that can develop more citrus and peach notes is grown in warmer climates (such as Alsace and parts of Austria). In cool climates (such as many German wine regions), Riesling wines tend to exhibit apple and tree fruit notes with noticeable levels of acidity that are sometimes balanced with residual sugar. Riesling is a variety that is highly ' terroir-expressive', meaning that the character of Riesling wines is greatly influenced by the wine's place of origin. As of 2004, Riesling was estimated to be the world's 20th most grown variety at 48,700 hectares (120,000 acres) (with an increasing trend), but in terms of importance for quality wines, it is usually included in the 'top three' white wine varieties together with Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc.

Riesling wines are usually varietally pure and are seldom oaked. It is used to make dry, semi-sweet, sweet, and sparkling white wines. Riesling is an aromatic grape variety displaying flowery, almost perfumed, aromas as well as high acidity. Riesling ( / ˈ r iː s l ɪ ŋ/, / ˈ r iː z-/ German: ( listen)) is a white grape variety that originated in the Rhine region. Germany, Hungary, Luxembourg, France, Austria, Slovakia, Croatia, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, United States, CanadaĮiswein, Trockenbeerenauslese, Beerenauslese, Grosses Gewächs, Alsace Grand Cru, Wachau Smaragd