France
C2M Continental
Alsace: drier, richer, higher in alcohol, often steely & inexpressive in youth, mineral, apple, citrus fruits, stone fruits, jasmine, honey With age: a complex bouquet dominated by pure fruit flavours, appealing petrol or kerosene notes, long, dry finish
Germany
Cool Continental
Mosel: pale in colour, sometimes with bubbles, very L alcohol, very H acidity, balanced by sugar and extract intensely fragrant, more floral than fruity, rainwater, sherbet, delicate with a mineral or salty finish
Rheingau: compared to Mosel, more masculine (deeper in colour, firmer structure & texture, higher alcohol, riper fruit) commonly in austere, completely dry style
Australia
Warm Continental
Clare & Eden valley: pale lemon & lime green, Spritz due to fermentation in stainless steel, mineral austerity, H acidity, fruit profile leans strongly to lime, some show mineral pungency as ‘fly spray’
Best wines complex enough to overlay ‘limeyness’ with floral, appley, waxy notes, talcum or chalky texture from lees ageing, long, dry, acidic finish
Compared to Eden Valley with more floral and less alcohol, Clare Valley more austere in youth with mouth-puckering acidity and notes of citrus fruits, apples, and minerals. Kerosene in youth, with age it evolves a more complex toasty character.
Austria
Cool Continental
like Alsatian Riesling, dry with H acidity, M2H alcohol, pronounced minerality, less austere, dominated by riper stone fruit
New Zealand
Cool Maritime
clean, fruity, residue sugar
USA
M2W Continental
Washington State: pale in color with German style