Welschriesling
NOT Riesling!
Welschriesling is grown in Austria, Hungary and Slovenia.
3other names
- Tastes of
- green apple, citrus, white flowers and mineral
- Goes with
- wiener schnitzel, fresh fish and light appetizers
- Also called
- Olaszrizling, Laški Rizling, Riesling Italico
Where it grows
Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia and Northern Italy
The story
Welschriesling has nothing to do with Riesling. The name is confusing and possibly illegal (Germany tried to ban it). It's Austria and Central Europe's workhorse white—crisp, simple, food-friendly.
Insider story
Welschriesling is NOT related to Riesling. The 'Welsch' prefix means 'foreign' or 'Romance' in German. It's a completely different grape.
Germany tried to ban the name 'Welschriesling' to protect Riesling's reputation. They failed. Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, and Croatia still use it.
Welschriesling is Central Europe's everyday white—high-yielding, crisp, simple. It makes pleasant wine for immediate drinking.
But in Burgenland (Austria), Welschriesling makes world-class sweet wine. Botrytis-affected Welschriesling from Neusiedlersee rivals Sauternes. It's the grape's hidden potential.
Technical deep dive
Welschriesling has high acidity (6-7 g/L), citrus and apple aromatics, and low alcohol (11-12.5% ABV).
Dry Welschriesling is simple and food-friendly. Sweet Welschriesling (botrytis-affected) is complex and age-worthy.
Neusiedlersee's humid climate encourages botrytis. Welschriesling's thin skins are perfect for noble rot.
Industry secrets
Burgenland Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA) Welschriesling is one of the world's great sweet wines. $30-60 (375ml) bottles rival $100+ Sauternes. Kracher and Velich are the top producers.
For collectors
Investment grade C+
- Auction records
- Kracher TBA ($100)
- Blue-chip producers
-
- Kracher
- Velich
- Feiler-Artinger
- Value picks
- Burgenland TBA ($30-60/375ml)
- Price trend
- Stable. Sweet versions age well.
- Collector’s tip
- TBA ages 30+ years. Not mainstream but excellent value vs. Sauternes.