[VELSH-reez-ling; VELSH-rees-ling; velsh-REEZ-ling] A white-wine grape that-in spite of its spelling-is not related to the true riesling of Germany; it is a distinctly separate variety. Welschriesling's origin is a mystery, but it is well suited for the climate of central Europe, where it's extensively cultivated. It's known as Welshriesling (or Walschriesling) in Austria, Vlassky Riesling or Vlassky Rizling in Czechoslovakia, Olaszriesling in Hungary, Riesling Italico (or Italian Riesling) in Italy, and Grasevina or Laskiriesling or Laski Rizling in Slovenia and other areas of the former Yugoslavia. Welschriesling is a high-yielding vine that, in most cases, produces fairly bland wines. At its best, this grape delivers light wines with pronounced flowery aromas, but it's quite different from the true Riesling. Some areas, like northeast Italy, blend Welschriesling with true Riesling and label the result "Riesling," which causes some confusion. In parts of Romania, Welschriesling is used in sparkling wines whereas Austria occasionally turns it into a delightful trockenbeerenauslese.

Wine Lover's Companion. Copyright © 2003 by Barron's Educational Series, Inc. All rights reserved.