White Riesling

Flores, J. H., Heatherbell, D. A., and McDaniel, M. R. (1990). Ultrafiltration of wine effect of ultrafiltration on White Riesling and Gewuerztraminer wine composition and stability. Am.. Enol. Vitic. 41, 207-214. 

Wine Cabernet Sauvignon Champagne Claret Claret (reserve) Dry white Riesling Rose Vermouth... 

The North Coast area represents 20 percent of California s total wine-grape acreage. Its plantings of Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, White Riesling, and Gewurztraminer represent a substantial portion of the state crop of these white varieties (Table IV). 

White Riesling early-mid moderate cane midseason 1/5—1/6 4-6... 

The variety and condition of grapes affect rate of pressing, measured in tons per hour. Grapes that tend to retain juice more easily in their cellular structure are more difficult to press efficiently and are called slippery grapes. White Riesling, Sylvaner, and Muscat blanc cultivars are among the slowest and most difficult North Coast whites to press. 

The remnants of a very old, dry-farmed V. vinifera vineyard near Union Gap, in the Yakima Valley, still exist. It is reported to have been planted in the 1880s. The first documented planting of V. vinifera grapes in the Yakima Valley were planted in 1930 by W. P. Bridgeman. The first V. vinifera wines produced were made by Mr. Bridgeman at the Upland Winery in Sunnyside in 1936. A White Riesling wine was produced for several years before being discontinued. 

The most hardy varieties include White Riesling, Gewiirztraminer, Pinot noir, and perhaps Chardonnay. Least hardy are the Grenache, Sauvignon blanc, and perhaps Cabernet Sauvignon. The Semilion, Chenin blanc, and... 

White Riesling moderate vigor with good yields (5-8 tons/acre). Matures late season. Most cold-hardy of V. vinifera varieties and adaptable to a wide range of climatic and soil conditions. Buds are extremely fruitful (often four clusters per shoot), which can lead to overcropping. It is the most widely planted vinifera in the state. Sensitive to Botrytis cinerea. 

Chardonnay moderate vigor and yields (3-6 tons/acre). It can be as hardy as White Riesling, but has behaved erratically. Although of early to early midseason maturity, the variety tends to be high in acid. Recommend warm sites, possibly with western exposure. This variety is very prone to powdery mildew. Suggest low fertility conditions to keep vine open to combat acid and mildew. 

A problem that is somewhat unique to the vineyardists of the Northwest is 2,4-D damage. This is a herbicide that is used widely by the wheat industry. Contamination of vineyards by herbicide drift or other means can be devastating. V. vinifera Caberet Sauvignon and Sauvignon blanc appear to be least affected while Gewurztraminer, Pinot noir, and White Riesling are most sensitive. 

Only one winery currently is offering a dry, aged style of wine from V. vinifera cultivars White Riesling and Gewiirztraminer. It is the author s... 

The development of maturity and complexity of the wine is a relatively slow process. While we occasionally observe significant increases in these characteristics in as little as three months, it is more common to find increases in maturity and complexity over time spans measured in years. Some of the white wines of the Northwest are allowed to mature in the bottle for up to one year prior to release for sale. These wines are usually either sweet or are truly dry white wines. Typical examples would be botrytized or late harvest White Rieslings and Chardonnays. The red wines of the Northwest generally are aged in the bottle for one year or more prior to release. A notable exception in recent years has been wines of the V. vinifera cultivar Merlot, offered by several wineries in Washington with six months or less bottle age. 

Mature Grapes and During the Maturation of White Riesling, Am. J. Enol. Vitic. 1978, 29, 277-281. 

Zoecklein, B.W., Marcy, J.E. Jasinsky, Y. (1997a). Effect of fermentation, storage sur lie or post-fermentation thermal processing on White Riesling (Vitis vinifera L.) glycoconjugates. Am. J. Enol. Vitic., 48, 397-402. 

Murphey, J.M., Spayd, S.E., Rowers, J.R. (1989). Effect of grape maturation on soluble protein characteristics of Gewiitziraminer and White Riesling juice and wine. Am. J. Enol. Vitic., 40, 199-207... 

Herrick, I. W., Nagel, C. W. (1985). The caffeoyl tartrate content of white Riesling wines from Cafifomia, Washington, and Alsace. Am. J. Enol. Vitic., 36, 95-97. 

Spayd, S.E., R.L. Wample, R.G. Evans, R.G. Stevens, BJ. Seymour, and C.W. Nagel. 1994. Nitrogen fertilization of White Riesling grapes in Washington. Must and wine composition. Am. J. Enol. Vitic. 45 34-42. 

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