In the European winemaking tradition, wine accompanies moments of sharing and is part of our culinary heritage.
Each region produces different wines, depending on the grape varieties and the terroirs.
Some of them stand out for their freshness, aromas, and character. This is the case with Riesling, a white wine known for its great finesse. At Let it BiB, we lead you on a journey to discover this iconic grape variety, a true benchmark among white wines.
Origin and characteristics of the Riesling grape
Riesling is an emblematic grape variety of Alsatian viticulture. Cultivated on the steep hillsidesbordering the Rhine and the Alsatian vineyards, it perfectly expresses the richness of the limestone and clay-limestone terroirs. Historically, this grape variety has its roots in Germany,but it has firmly established itself in Alsace, where it is now the symbol of dry, characterful white wine.
Riesling bunchesare compact, made up of berries that are golden when ripe. This allows them to benefit
from an early or sometimes late harvest, depending on the vintage. They are also distinguished by a great capacity to reveal the minerality of the soil and to develop a complex aromatic palette, dominated by citrus notes, white fruits, and floral aromas.
This makes it an essential reference among noble grape varieties. German or Alsatian plantings often favor Riesling for its natural finesse.
Winemaking process and typicality of Riesling wines
Riesling winemaking begins with a gentle pressing of the grapes. This is followed by alcoholic fermentationin stainless steel tanks or sometimes in oak barrels, in order to preserve the aromatic freshness of the must. Winemakers pay particular attention to the
fermentation temperature, which is essential for expressing the aromatic complexity of this grape variety.
Depending on the ripeness of the grapes at harvest, Riesling wine can present a dry, crisp profile, or on the
contrary, a mellow or even sweet vintage in the case of late harvests or selections of noble berries.
Wines made from this grape often feature a pale yellow color, notes of exotic fruitsor citrus,
floral nuances, and minerality, the result of the typicality of the terroir and the expertise of the winemakers. The tangy structureand great purity of Riesling wine give it remarkable aging potential.
Terroirs, appellations, and diversity of Riesling vintages
The richness of Riesling winecomes from the diversity of its terroirs: clay-limestone, sandstone, shale, limestone hills, or sunny slopes. In Alsace, it benefits from the AOC "Alsace" and prestigious appellations of origin, such as the Alsace Grand Cru terroir or selections of noble berries.
Each vintage reflects the typicality of the plot, the exposure, and the vineyard's microclimate. Winemakers
produce very different vintages depending on the ripeness of the grapes or the presence of noble rot (botrytis) for the mellow wines. The palette of vintagesthus offers lively, crystalline wines, or full-bodied wines with impressive aromatic complexity. Dry white wines made from old vines or vinified as Crémant d’Alsace further testify to the versatility and potential for excellence of the Riesling grape, prized throughout the Alsatian wine route.
Food and wine pairings with Riesling
Riesling wine pairs ideally with fresh seafoodsuch as oysters or shellfish. Its freshness and lively acidity balance the salinity of the shellfish. For white meats, this dry white wine provides a complementary aromatic touch.
Goat cheesesor soft-ripened cheeses gain harmony with its floral notes. As an aperitif, dry Riesling
reveals its subtle finesse and minerality. Alsatian dishes such as sauerkraut find a perfect ally in this grape variety.For desserts, the mellow versions pair well with candied fruits or foie gras. The typicality of
Riesling
excels with tender white asparagus. Let it BiB and the passion for Riesling wine
At
Let it BiB, we highlight Riesling in all its facets, with a selection derived from practices that respect the terroir. The approach aims to make this iconic grape variety accessible, while ensuring quality and freshness in every chosen vintage. Here, Rieslingexpresses the richness of Alsatian soils through citrus aromas, white flowers, and a refreshing acidity.We focus on fruity, authentic wines, sometimes from late harvests, which offer the full
typicality of Riesling with every tasting. Our choice of the
Bag-in-Box format helps preserve the aromatic qualities of the white wine and facilitates tasting over time. Direct collaboration with passionate winemakersallows us to offer wines faithful to their origin. Our selection includes exclusive vintages such as Le Vif from the Eblin-Fuchs family or Bang-Bang
