Riesling is an aromatic white grape variety known for its high acidity and flowery aromas that tend to thrive in cooler wine growing regions. It is the main winegrape of Germany but has significant plantings throughout the new and old world wine regions. Riesling is used to make a wide range of wines from dry to mildly sweet to sweet and is sometimes used in sparkling wines. The grape is known to greatly express the terroir of where it is grown, but will still maintain the characteristics which identify it. Riesling has been described as flowery, honey-like, and complex, as well as spicy and long lasting or lingering on the palate.
In California, Riesling is also known by its botanical name or synonym White Riesling. The ice wine, late harvest, and botrytisized Rieslings are among the most prized and age-worthy wines in the world.
Since 1998 the acreage of Riesling has grown in California to 3,831 acres. Monterey County is by far the leader with 2,352 acres, Santa Barbara is second with 259 and San Luis Obispo third with 179 acres of Riesling standing in 2010.
Top 5 California Counties Riesling Acreage
| County | 2010 Total Acres |
|---|---|
| Monterey | 2,352 |
| Santa Barbara | 259 |
| San Luis Obispo | 179 |
| San Joaquin | 160 |
| Napa | 140 |
| STATE TOTAL | 3,831 |
California Riesling Acreage
| Year | Acres |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 3,831 |
| 2009 | 3,693 |
| 2008 | 3,073 |
| 2007 | 3,007 |
| 2006 | 2,898 |
| 2005 | 2,323 |
| 2004 | 2,137 |
| 2003 | 1,871 |
| 2002 | 1,673 |
| 2001 | 1,578 |
| 2000 | 1,510 |
Source: California Agricultural Statistics Service
