The white grape variety probably originates from Germany. There are over 150 synonyms that testify to the great age and worldwide distribution of this Cépages nobles vine in almost all wine-growing countries. The most important, grouped alphabetically by country, are Risling (Bulgaria); Edler Riesling, Gelber Riesling, Gräfenberger, Hochheimer, Johannisberger, Kleinriesling, Klingelberger, Rissling, Rüsseling, Weißer Riesling (Germany); Raisin du Rhin, Rhin, Riesling Rhénan (France); Riesling Renano (Italy); Rajinski Riesling (former Yugoslavia);

Rizling Rajnski (Croatia); Rislinoc (Moldavia); Rheinriesling, Ritzling (also a vineyard in the Wachau), Weißer Riesling (Austria); Riesling de Rhin (Romania); Johannisberg, Johannisberg Riesling, Petit Rhin (Switzerland); Rizling Rýnsky (Slovakia); Renski Rizling (Slovenia); Lipka, Ryzlink Rýnský, Starovetski (Czech Republic); Beyaz Riesling (Turkey); Рислінг, Rislinok (Ukraine); Fehér Rajnai, Rajnai Rizling (Hungary); Rhine Riesling, White Riesling (California-USA).

Parentage

According to DNA analyses carried out by grapevine geneticist Dr Ferdinand Regner in 1998, Riesling is the result of a presumably natural cross between (Vitis vinifera sylvestris x Traminer) x Weißer Heunisch (Gouais Blanc). The small berries and frost hardiness come from the wild vine, the spicy notes from the Traminer and the late ripening, robustness and acidity potential from the Heunisch. It should be noted that, although Gouais Blanc, the involvement of wild grape and Traminer is not certain. According to the most recent DNA analysis in 2021, it is a cross between an unknown parent variety x Gouais Blanc.

The rare variety Roter Riesling is not a precursor, but a mutation of Weißer Riesling and the Blauer Riesling variety comes from a cross between an unknown parent variety x Savagnin Blanc (Traminer). Due to morphological similarities, the White Riesling must not be confused with the Crouchen, Menu Pineau, Pedro Ximénez, Räuschling or Sauvignonasse varieties. There is also no closer relationship to Welschriesling (Graševina).

Varieties with Riesling in their name

The prestigious name Riesling has often been misleadingly and sometimes deliberately misused worldwide. This is because almost all of these varieties have no genetic relationship:

• Bánáti Rizling = Kreaca (Serbia)
• Black Riesling = Pinot Meunier (USA)
• Breisgauer Riesling = Knipperlé (Germany)
• Budai Riesling = Berbecel (Romania?)
• Cape Riesling, Paarl Riesling, Riesling Vert, South African Riesling = Crouchen (South Africa)
• Frankenriesling = Silvaner and Grüner Veltliner (Germany, Austria)
• Grey Riesling = Pinot Gris (Germany)
• Gray Riesling = Trousseau Gris (California)
• Gros Riesling = Orléans and Silvaner (France)
• Großriesling =...