| Riesling is a white grape variety grown historically | | | | a later Latin version of his book on herbs, |
| in Germany. Dr. Ferdinand Regner, grapevine | | | | describing it with the modern spelling of the word. |
| breeding and genetics expert, suggests Riesling | | | | A later version of the book (1577) stated that |
| wine history starts with one parent of Riesling, | | | | "Riesling was growing in the Mosel, the Rhein, and |
| the Gouais Blanc (known to Germans as Heunisch | | | | the environs of Worms". By the seventeenth |
| Weiss), brought to Burgundy from Croatia by the | | | | century, "Ruessling" was planted throughout the |
| Romans; the other parent being a cross between | | | | Palatinate. In 1716, the Prince-Abbey of Fulda |
| a wild vine and Traminer (Sauvignon Blanc). This is | | | | purchased the rundown Benedictine Abbey in |
| believed to be the start of Riesling wine history. | | | | Johannisberg in the Rheingau, an important |
| Riesling vine history traces back to the year 1435. | | | | development in the spread of Riesling as the |
| Reportedly there were other "first plantings" in | | | | "grape of Germany". |
| the history of Reisling wine: Wachau in Austria in | | | | The vineyards were in total neglect and |
| 1232, Rheinhessen and the Alsace region with | | | | completely restored, replanted with 294,000 vines |
| dates 1402 and 1348 respectively, to name a | | | | between 1720-21 purchased from Ruedesheim, |
| few. Riesling wine history presumes the Riesling | | | | Eberbach, and Floersheim. It was Schloss |
| was born somewhere in the upper valley of the | | | | Johannisberg that set the standards for the |
| Rhine, but with parents from either side of the | | | | grape, and other areas soon decreed Riesling the |
| Adriatic the cross could have happened along the | | | | grape that should be planted. The legend of sweet |
| way. The only documented evidence in Riesling | | | | Riesling is accredited to Schloss Johannisberg in |
| wine history is from the cellar log of Count | | | | the Rheingau who accidentally created their first |
| Katzenelnbogen at Ruesselsheim on March 13th, | | | | Spatlese (late harvest) in 1775. Legend tells us the |
| 1435. Klaus Kleinfish purchased six Riesling vines | | | | messenger carrying the official order from the |
| for the sum of 22 solidi. | | | | Abbey of Fulda, which owned the vineyard, to |
| From the middle fourteenth century, Riesling was | | | | start picking was robbed on the way. When he |
| becoming popular. Riesling wine history is cloaked | | | | finally arrived the grapes had rotted, became |
| in theory as to the name Riesling. One theory | | | | infected with Botrytis (occurs when drier |
| connects it to characteristics of the vine. "Russ" | | | | conditions follow wetter, and can result in |
| means dark wood and along with the grooved | | | | distinctive sweet dessert wines) and given to the |
| bark, gives the resultant root word "rissig". | | | | peasants. The peasants brewed wonderful wines |
| Another theory relates to the Riesling's poor | | | | with it, helping create the rich Riesling wine history. |
| flowering in cold weather described in German | | | | Riesling wine history includes Clemens Wenzeslaus |
| "verrieseln" or "durchrieseln". | | | | 1739-1812, Elector of Trier, who on May 8th, |
| Riesling wine history tells us that interest in the | | | | 1787, proclaimed all inferior vines be dug up and |
| varietals probably began in the early fourteenth | | | | replanted with noble (Riesling) varieties. A Riesling |
| century with gradual shifts of plantings from red | | | | boom in the Rheingau and the Mosel was started |
| to white grapes. About the seventeenth century, | | | | from the examples of Johannisberg and |
| the monks of the Cistercian monastery at | | | | Wenzeslaus with wines so successful that by the |
| Eberbach discovered that transparent Rheingau | | | | century's turn the Benedictine Monk Odo Staab at |
| reds could not compete with deeply colored | | | | Johannisberg claimed that "other than Riesling no |
| French wines, thus ordering their tenant growers | | | | other varietal should be used to produce wines in |
| to use only white wine plantings and remove all | | | | the Rheingau." By the end of the 19th century it |
| others. The variety of grape the monks wanted | | | | was the dominant grape in the Rheingau, and |
| planted is not clear but believed to be Riesling | | | | made significant inroads to all growing areas of |
| because the qualities of the grape had become | | | | Germany. |
| known. | | | | A trend reversal decline in Riesling wine history |
| In 1464, twelve hundred "Ruesseling" vines were | | | | began in the early 20th century. German growers, |
| purchased by the St. Jacob Hospice, today part of | | | | spurred by the new science trends, began |
| the Vereinigte Hospitien of Trier. The specific | | | | experimenting with varietals such as Silvaner. By |
| vineyard "Ruessling hinder Kirssgarten" (Riesling | | | | 1930, only 57% of the vines planted in the |
| behind the cherry orchard) was mentioned and | | | | Rheingau were Riesling. This trend was reversed |
| described in 1490, and "Rissling wingart" at | | | | during the rest of the century. Riesling wine |
| Pfeddersheim in the Rheinhessen in 1511, attesting | | | | history will record that Riesling wine is treated as |
| to the grape's spread. | | | | a national treasure and is reflected in the strong |
| Hieronymus Bock refers to Riesling in 1552 and in | | | | buying patterns from Riesling fans. |