Why everyone’s raving about Clare Valley riesling

Riesling. Some people love it, some people love to hate it, and some people don’t really know what to expect. But one thing is for sure – it’s a grape with a reputation.

To provide some context, riesling was hugely popular in the ’70s and ’80s for its inexpensive, lusciously sweet wines – yeah, you know the ones. But by the ’90s, this style had fallen out of favour as public tastes shifted towards crisper, drier and more diverse offerings. While the days of such sugary sweet whites are largely behind us, many are still hesitant about picking a bottle of riesling off the shelf for fear it will prove a cavity-inducing experience. Well, we’re here to reassure you that riesling has undergone a dramatic transformation in Australia, with the Clare Valley leading the charge. 

With zesty fruit, nose-tingling perfume and pure, racy acidity that will set your mouth watering, it’s hard not to love a Clare Valley riesling. And we’re not the only ones taken with this regional style; with an enviable reputation that reaches around the globe, the Clare Valley has become virtually synonymous with Australian riesling, producing several distinctive expressions from the region’s iconic subregions: Watervale, Polish Hill River, Auburn and Sevenhill. Although technically quite a warm region, Clare’s magical combination of high altitudes, afternoon breezes and cool nights produces rieslings that are bright and refreshing. Add clean, fruit-focused winemaking and limited ageing in stainless steel, and you’ve got racy wines that almost always punch above their weight in the value department. 

Capable of ageing for years, even decades, and fantastically food friendly to boot, it’s easy to see why everyone’s raving about these wines. So if you’re ready to jump on the riesling train, destination Clare Valley, then check out these five bottles that truly capture this unique regional style. All aboard!