Renski Rizling - the oenologists' official name for this wine is "White Riesling" - is regarded as the king of white wines. In Slovenia, it has a long tradition in the Podravje region. Because of the warmer climate and careful selection, Slovene Riesling tends to be more aromatic than most of the other German varieties. The vine is very tender, succumbs easily to various molds and is not resistant to frost: even in good years the yield is low and irregular.
Renski Riesling is an elegant wine even when young, rich in matured acids with an overpowering aroma reminiscent of roses, linden blossoms, and muscat. The young wine is fresh and lively although the acids may be slightly rough in poor vintages. The wine ages well, even poor vintages - the saying goes that there are no "small" Rieslings, just "underage" Rieslings. In matured wine, the tastes and aromas become balanced, giving it a hue of white peach and apricot. A matured late harvest Renski Rizling is arguably the best one can find among the white wines of Slovenia. The pinnacle is Renski Rizling Ice Wine which is very rarely successfully produced.
Renski Rizling is a specialty of the Podravje region, with the Maribor area the most prominent producer, both in quality and quantity; other areas of Podravje can surprise with outstanding Renski Rizling in good years, particularly Radgona-Kapela and Ljutomer-Ormo§. It has been successfully transplanted to the æmarje-Virçtajn and Bizeljsko-SremiŸ areas of Posavje; these Rieslings are somewhat more moderate in acids and can be enjoyed while still young.
Renski Rizling should be served rather cool, 8 - 10 °C (46.4 - 50 °F). This king of white wines should only be served with the best: it is a perfect wine for the best of sea-food - frutti-di-mare and broiled or grilled white fish - or subtle pork, veal, and poultry dishes such as pork oiseau-sans-tete, Saltinbocca alla Romana, free-range chicken en croute-de-sel, or goose liver.
