Need to know Australian riesling regions
Australia's riesling game is on point, and look, at the risk of sounding like tall poppies, we're home to some of the best regions for riesling in the world.
Typically Aussie riesling tends to be steely, crisp and dry, but don't be fooled into thinking it's a one-trick pony. You'll find some fantastic variation from region-to-region based on classic site and soil profiles which, when married with a winemaker's je ne sais quoi, means you'll find riesling from floral, citrusy, crisp and racy through to stone-fruited, textural and sweet.
The long and short of it is - if you're a riesling lover, these are the regions to have on your radar. Sip away.
Clare Valley
Look, if you're a rizza buff, these first two aren't going to shock you. Located in South Australia, Clare Valley has the advantages of altitude, warm climate, and a multitude of soil types (from terra rossa to slate), which all conspire to give its riesling a distinctive profile. Cooler nights mean grapes retain a racy acidity as they ripen; think steely, citrus, floral, and dry - though some sweeter styles are to be found.
Check out: Petaluma Hanlin Hill Riesling 2022
Eden Valley
Often lumped in with its Barossa-adjacent cousin Clare Valley, Eden Valley, also located nearby in SA, is also home to some pretty knockout rieslings. The grape found a home here in the elevated hills cooled by altitude, and rieslings from the Eden tend to be (though not always) delicate and aromatic, with floral, mineral and citrus-y notes (lime being the biggy) - though maybe not topping out at the same acidity of riesling from the Clare.
Check out: Riesling 2022 – Black Market Deal #42845
Great Southern
Moving on to Western Australia, the Great Southern region is home to some pretty, pretty good rizzas - especially from Mount Barker and Frankland River. Here you'll find a diverse range of riesling wines on offer that vary in style depending on site , from light and fresh to full-bodied and complex.
Check out: Riesling 2023 – Black Market Deal #45270
Tasmania
Tassie's cool, maritime climate is ideal for getting the best out of riesling, with Coal River especially growing in prominence. Tassie rieslings typically have a vibrant acidity, crispness, and delicate citrus flavours - and can be anything from dry to very sweet, depending on the style the winemaker is looking to create.
Check out: Derwent Estate Deviance Riesling 2019
Western and Central Victoria
Painting some very broad strokes here, but you'll find some cracking rizza coming out of Western and Central Vic. Henty, in the cool, south-west, produces some of the most-ageworthy riesling in Australia, and the elevation of the Strathbogie ranges in Central Vic produces fruit that's famed for its keen acidity. Cool climate + high altitude = grapes that allow winemakers to produce rieslings with vibrancy and intense aromatics that'll knock your socks off.
Check out: Riesling 2022 – Black Market Deal #43108
Remember, this list is as general as it is non-exhaustive - Australia is lucky to have a heap of regions that produce top-notch riesling wines (shoutout Limestone Coast and Coonawarra too), each with their own distinct flavour profile and style dependent on the fruit selection and what the winemaker is looking to create. So get out there, get sipping, and find your next fave.
Want to browse our latest and greatest Aussie rizza? Here you go.