Alsace

Riesling (pronounced Reece-Ling) is perhaps one of the triumphs of the white wine world - yielding intensely floral, fruity and aromatic young wines. Riesling is somewhat unique in the world of white wine however, as the wines are capable of somewhat unbelievable periods of ageing. Rieslings over (approximately) 20 years of age can sometimes acquire a somewhat 'petrol-like' nose, caused by the breakdown of compounds in the wine to 1,1,6-trimethyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene (you know - 1,1,6-trimethyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene?). This is far from a bad thing, and is positively sought after by connoisseurs. Riesling is also responsible for producing some of the world's best botrytised dessert wines (especially in the new world).