Riesling

B

Wine grape variety.

Grappe
Feuille
Apex
Grappe
Feuille
Apex
Origin

The geographical origin of the variety is specified or, if this is not possible, the area in which it is traditionally cultivated. The genetic origin of the variety is also indicated whenever it is known from hybridiser data or from genetic analyses published or obtained by the teams at INRAE in Montpellier (UMR AGAP) and Vassal-Montpellier Grapevine Biological Resources Centre (CRB-Vigne).

This variety is in all likelihood originally from the banks of the Rhine river. Based on published genetic analyses, it is probably a descendant of Gouais blanc.

Use

This information indicates the normal and statutory use for the grapes.

Wine grape variety.

Name of the variety in France

Name under which the variety is officially registered in the catalogue of grapevine varieties in France and under which it may be propagated and disseminated.

Riesling

Synonymy

Recognised alternative names that may be used to identify the propagation material of the variety in France or in other member countries of the European Union.

In the European Union, Riesling is officially called by other names: Rajnai rizling (Hungary), Renski rizling (Slovenia), Rhine Riesling (Cyprus), Riesling renano (Italy), Rizling rýnsky (Czech Republic, Slovakia) and Weißer Riesling (Germany, Austria). These synonyms are officially recognized in France regarding plant propagation material.

Regulatory data

This information indicates on which list the variety is registered (A or B), whether it is classified for wine grapes, and in which member countries of the European Union the variety is also officially registered (for more information, see the "Legislation" menu.

In France, Riesling is officially listed in the "Catalogue of vine varieties" on the A list and classified. This variety is also listed in the catalogues of other Member States of the European Union: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain.

Evolution of cultivated areas in France

The figures provided are taken from vineyard land registers (IVCC, ONIVIT, ONIVINS), general agricultural censuses (SCEES-INSEE) and the current computerised vineyard register (DGDDI, FAM). Regional vine planting data is available on the following site: https://visionet.franceagrimer.fr/Pages/DonneesInteractivesDocs.aspx?sousmenu=observatoire%20de%20la%20viticulture.

Year
ha

1958

787

1968

1047

1979

2195

1988

2918

1998

3404

2008

3423

2018

3492

Éléments de description

Only the principal ampelographic elements enabling the varieties to be characterised and identified are provided. They are presented according to the descriptor code recognised by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), the Community Plant Variety Office (OCVV) and Bioversity International (for more information, see the "Ampelographic glossary" menu). The photographs of leaves and grapes were taken in natural conditions, on the vine, in very similar situations in terms of growing conditions (sandy soil, Mediterranean coast): - Domaine de l'Espiguette (IFV), Le Grau du Roi (Gard), - Domaine de Vassal (INRAE), Marseillan (Hérault), - La Gaillarde Campus (Institut Agro | Montpellier SupAgro), Montpellier (Hérault). Only a few photographs, including the tips of bunches, were taken in other conditions.

The identification is based on:
- the tip of the young shoot with a high density of prostrate hairs,
- the yellow young leaves with slightly bronze spots,
- the shoots with red or red-striped internodes,
- the circular adult leaves, with five or seven lobes, deep U-shaped lateral sinuses, a petiole sinus with overlapping lobes, medium teeth with convex or straight sides, a weak to moderate anthocyanin coloration of veins, a slightly goffered leaf blade, and on the lower side of the leaves, a medium density of erect hairs and a low density of prostrate hairs,
- the slightly obloid berries.

Genetic profile

The genetic profile of the variety is provided for the 9 microsatellite markers (or SSR markers) selected under the European programme GrapeGen06 (http://www.eu-vitis.de/index.php) and by the OIV. The absolute size values of the alleles may vary slightly from one laboratory to another, but the relative differences between the two alleles of one single microsatellite are constant. The genetic analyses were conducted by the INRAE Montpellier team (UMR AGAP) and the IFV’s Plant Material Centre.

Microsatellite VVS2 VVMD5 VVMD7 VVMD27 VRZAG62 VRZAG79 VVMD25 VVMD28 VVMD32

Allele 1

141

223

249

178

194

244

248

227

251

Allele 2

149

232

257

186

204

246

254

233

271

Cultivation and agronomic skills

The data on suitability are the result of field observations or, if none are available, of bibliography mining and the study of bibliographic references.

Riesling has good resistance to winter cold andits fruitfulness after spring frost is good. This variety must be pruned long and trained. It is a little sensitive to dessication of the stems. Its ideal terroirs are varied (limestone, granite) but are mainly made up of schist.

Susceptibility to Diseases and Pests

These remarks are also the result of field observations or, if none are available, of bibliography mining and study of bibliographic references.

Riesling is sensitive to grey rot, anthracnose and grape moths. Under certain conditions, grey rot attacks on the peduncles can lead to early grape drop.

Phenology

The growth stages indicated are the result of obsrvations made at the Domaine de Vassal Estate where the set of these varieties form a collection. The results are indicated compared to the Chasselas vine variety as a reference in order to make comparisons between years and different sites. As such, for information purposes, the dates for the Chasselas B growth stage at Domaine de Vassal are as follows: - Bud burst, 21 March (average over 50 years) - Grape maturity, 14 August (average over 50 years)

Bud burst: 5 days after Chasselas.
Grape maturity: mid-season, 3 weeks after Chasselas.

Technological potential

The size of grape clusters and berries indicated are based on the following scales: - Wine grape varieties Size : Very small Bunch (g) : ≤ 100 Berry (g) : 1 - Table grape varieties Bunch (g) : 150 Berry (g) : 2 - Wine grape varieties Size : Small Bunch (g) : 100 - 200 Berry (g) : 1,5 - 2 - Table grape varieties Bunch (g) : 150 - 250 Berry (g) : 2 - 3,5 - Wine grape varieties Size : Moderate Bunch (g) : 200 - 250 Berry (g) : 2 - 2,5 - Table grape varieties Bunch (g) : 250 - 400 Berry (g) : 3,5 - 5,5 - Wine grape varieties Size : Large Bunch (g) : 250 - 400 Berry (g) : 2,5 - 3,5 - Table grape varieties Bunch (g) : 400 - 700 Berry (g) : 5,5 - 8 - Wine grape varieties Size : Very large Bunch (g) : 400 Berry (g) : 3,5 - Table grape varieties Bunch (g) : 700 Berry (g) : 8 Remarks concerning the characteristics of the wines are generally based on tastings organised by juries of professionals.

The bunches and berries are small. Riesling produces great quality dry white wines: very aromatic, lively and elegant. The acidity balance is very high. These wines are suited to ageing and their bouquet evolves slowly towards "petroleum" (hydrocarbons) aromas. Riesling, when over-ripened or in the presence of noble rot can produce great liqueur wines.

Clonal selection in France

In this section, the list of certified clones is given. Information on clone conservatories is also provided.

The eight certified Riesling clones carry the numbers 49, 1089, 1090, 1091, 1092, 1094, 1096 and 1097. A conservatory of almost 190 clones was planted in Alsace in 1997.

Bibliographic references

Bibliography

- Catalogue des variétés et clones de vigne cultivés en France. Collectif, 2007, Ed. IFV, Le Grau-du-Roi, France.
- Documentary collections of the Centre de Ressources Biologiques de la Vigne de Vassal-Montpellier, INRAE - Institut Agro Montpellier, Marseillan, France.
- Dictionnaire encyclopédique des cépages et de leurs synonymes. P. Galet, 2015, Ed. Libre&Solidaire, France.
- Traité général de viticulture, Ampélographie. P. Viala and V. Vermorel, 1901-1909, Ed. Masson, Paris, France.

Description of clones approved in France

In this section, the list of certified clones is given. Information on clone conservatories is also provided.

  • Clone number
  • Brand
  • Origin

    Region, department or winegrowing region in which the “clone mother plant” was identified and selected.

  • Selection

    Body or bodies which selected the clone. In France, clonal selection is the responsibility of the selection organisations (themselves accredited by the ministry in charge of agriculture), usually in close collaboration with a technical partner working in a winegrowing region. For clones certified after 1999, the name of the partner or partners who took part in the selection work is also included. (NB: CA = Chamber of Agriculture).

  • Year of approval

    Year in which the clone was certified by the FranceAgriMer board further to a proposal by the Vine section of the CTPS (Permanent Technical Committee for Plant Selection).

  • Agronomic Reference

    Region, department or winegrowing region in which the agronomic and technological data were collected.

  • Surface in multiplication

    Surface area in hectares (ha) of stock nurseries used for propagation for the year under consideration (in brackets), which allows the available potential to be evaluated. Clones with a surface area of between 0.01 and 0.10 ha are shown as <0.10 ha. Clones of limited dissemination, but for which we have technical data, are shown as <0.01 ha. Other clones are given as “low-dissemination clone”, which means that the clone has been certified only recently or has not been propagated. In both cases, only the initial material is planted in the selection centres.

  • B
  • 49

  • Alsace

  • INRA

  • 1971

  • Alsace

  • 4.06 ha

  • Agronomic Data

  • Fertility high

  • Production level high

  • Cluster weight high

  • Vigor medium

  • Berry size medium to high

  • Technological Data

  • Sugar richness low to medium

  • Total acidity medium to high

  • Oenological skills representative wines of the variety

  • Other information

  • General note productive clone

  • B
  • 1089

  • Alsace

  • INRA - CIVA

  • 2006

  • Alsace

  • 0.20 ha

  • Agronomic Data

  • Fertility low

  • Production level low

  • Cluster weight low

  • Vigor medium

  • Berry size medium

  • Technological Data

  • Sugar richness high

  • Total acidity low to medium

  • Oenological skills wines appreciated in tasting

  • Other information

  • General note clone appreciated for its agronomic characteristics and the quality of the wines obtained

  • B
  • 1090

  • Alsace

  • INRA - CIVA

  • 2007

  • Alsace

  • 0,65 ha

  • Agronomic Data

  • Fertility medium

  • Production level low

  • Cluster weight low

  • Vigor medium

  • Berry size medium

  • Technological Data

  • Sugar richness high

  • Total acidity medium

  • Oenological skills wines appreciated in tasting

  • Other information

  • General note clone appreciated for its agronomic characteristics and the quality of the wines obtained

  • Agronomic note this clone should not be grafted onto 3309C or Gravesac, as these associations may lead to dysfunctional affinities

  • B
  • 1091

  • Alsace

  • INRA - CIVA

  • 2006

  • Alsace

  • 0.20 ha

  • Agronomic Data

  • Fertility medium

  • Production level medium

  • Cluster weight medium to high

  • Vigor medium

  • Berry size low to medium

  • Technological Data

  • Sugar richness high

  • Total acidity low to medium

  • Oenological skills wines appreciated in tasting

  • Other information

  • General note clone appreciated for its agronomic characteristics and the quality of the wines obtained

  • Agronomic note this clone should not be grafted onto 3309C or Gravesac, as these associations may lead to dysfunctional affinities

  • B
  • 1092

  • Alsace

  • INRA - CIVA

  • 2008

  • Alsace

  • 0,35 ha

  • Agronomic Data

  • Fertility medium

  • Production level low to medium

  • Cluster weight medium

  • Vigor medium

  • Berry size low to medium

  • Technological Data

  • Sugar richness medium

  • Total acidity medium

  • Oenological skills wines appreciated in tasting

  • Other information

  • General note clone appreciated for its agronomic characteristics and the quality of the wines obtained. Loose bunches.

  • B
  • 1094

  • Alsace

  • INRA - CIVA

  • 2008

  • Alsace

  • 0,36 ha

  • Agronomic Data

  • Fertility medium to high

  • Production level medium

  • Cluster weight low to medium

  • Vigor medium to high

  • Berry size medium to high

  • Technological Data

  • Sugar richness medium

  • Total acidity medium

  • Oenological skills wines appreciated in tasting

  • Other information

  • General note clone appreciated for its agronomic characteristics and the quality of the wines obtained

  • B
  • 1096

  • Alsace

  • INRA - CIVA

  • 2010

  • Alsace

  • 0,28 ha

  • Agronomic Data

  • Fertility medium

  • Production level medium

  • Cluster weight medium

  • Vigor high

  • Berry size medium

  • Technological Data

  • Sugar richness medium

  • Total acidity medium

  • Oenological skills wines appreciated in tasting

  • Other information

  • General note clone appreciated for its agronomic characteristics and the quality of the wines obtained. It is vigorous and adapted to stressful pedoclimatic conditions.

  • B
  • 1097

  • Alsace

  • INRA - CIVA

  • 2008

  • Alsace

  • 0,15 ha

  • Agronomic Data

  • Fertility low to medium

  • Production level medium

  • Cluster weight medium to high

  • Vigor medium

  • Berry size medium

  • Technological Data

  • Sugar richness medium

  • Total acidity medium

  • Oenological skills wines appreciated in tasting

  • Other information

  • General note clone appreciated for its agronomic characteristics and the quality of the wines obtained