Riesling will never get much respect, but it remains an underrated and really enjoyable grape. The Germany Rieslings being poured at this event hailed from the 2009 and 2010 vintages (the latter being just bottled by many producers) and represented a wide range of styles from bone dry to so sweet you had to wash your hands if you got a drop on you. Which you did.

As always, the highlight of the event was the “Wines of Germany” table, which featured numerous very old Riesling vintages, one dating back to 1971. Amazing to see how this wine changes as it spends decade after decade in the cellar.

Tasting Report: Riesling World Tour 2011

2010 Jean Buscher Riesling semi-dry / B

2009 Dr. Fischer Riesling Kabinett Ockfener Bockstein / B+

2010 Dr. Fischer Riesling Kabinett Ockfener Bockstein / B+

2009 Dr. Loosen Riesling Red Slate / B-

2009 Dr. Loosen Riesling Kabinett Blue Slate / B / bit fizzy

2009 Dr. Loosen Riesling Spatlese Urziger Wurzgarten / B+ / more balance here

2009 Dr. Loosen Riesling Auslese Wehlener Sonnenuhr / A- / rich and silky

2009 Dr. Loosen Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel Erdener Pralat / A / golden, delicious, top of the line

2009 Dr. Loosen Riesling Beerenauslese BA / A- / a bit heavy

2009 Prinz von Hessen Riesling Kabinett / A-

2009 Prinz von Hessen Riesling Erstes Gewachs Johannisberger Klaus / B+ / perfumy, a bit overripe

2009 Robert Weil Riesling / B+

2009 Robert Weil Riesling Kiedrich Turmberg / A-

2009 Robert Weil Riesling Erstes Gewachs Kiedrich Grafenberg / A / big melon notes

2009 Max Ferd. Richter Riesling Kabinett Mulheimer Sonnenlay / B

2009 Max Ferd. Richter Riesling Kabinett Graacher Himmelreich / B / thin

2009 Max Ferd. Richter Riesling Spatlese Wehlener Sonnenuhr / A- / silky sweetness

2009 Max Ferd. Richter Riesling Auslese Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr / A- / big

2009 Georg Albrecht Schneider Riesling vom Kalk / C+

2010 Kesselstatt Riesling Kabinett Scharzhofberger Mosel / B

2010 Maximin Grunhaus Riesling Spatlese Abtsberg Mosel / A- / monstrous

2009 Altenkirch Riesling Grauschiefer / C

2009 Altenkirch Riesling Bodental Steinberg / C-

2007 Knebel Riesling Von den Terrassen Mosel / B- / alcoholic

2009 Emrich-Schonleber Riesling Lens Nahe semi-dry / B+ / nice finish

2008 Keller Riesling Westhofener Abtserde Rheinhessen / A-

2009 Ress Riesling Kabinett km501 / B / overly fruity

2009 Ress Riesling Rhein km501 / B+

2007 C.H. Berres Riesling Kabinett Urziger Wurzgarten / B / odd nose, apricot body

1997 C.H. Berres Riesling Kabinett Urziger Wurzgarten / B / some odd nose, aging fast

2009 Gebr. Ludwig Riesling Thornicher Ritsch / C

2009 Gebr. Ludwig Riesling Kabinett Thornicher Ritsch / B

2009 Gebr. Ludwig Riesling Spatlese Thornicher Ritsch / B+

2010 Gebr. Ludwig Riesling Auslese Thornicher Ritsch / A- / pineapples and honey

2010 Gebr. Ludwig Riesling Beerenauslese Thornicher Ritsch / A- / huge, very sweet

1998 Balthasar Ress Hattenheim Nussbrunnen Riesling Spatlese / A-

1999 St. Urbans-Hof Riesling Spatlese Piesporter Goldtropfchen / B+ / lots going on, out of balance

1992 Forstmeister Geltz-Zilliken Riesling Spatlese Saarburger Rausch / B

1990 Prinz von Hessen Riesling Spatlese Winkeler Jesuitengarten / B- / well past its prime

1989 Gebr. Ludwig Riesling Spatlese Thornicher Ritsch / B-

1999 Dr. Fischer Riesling Auslese Ockfener Bockstein / A / still alive, fantastic

1992 Max Ferd. Richter Riesling Auslese Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr / B+

1999 Paul Anheuser Riesling Beerenauslese Kreuzacher Krotenpfuhl / B / fading

1971 Dr. Burklin-Wolf Wachenheimer Auslese / A- / burnt orange, intriguing, like sherry, with citrus notes