I get this question a lot. And I also see lots of marketing predictions of Riesling’s revival. A small measure of this has come to pass. Would it was more than small, though.
My own gut-sense explanation is that Riesling is simply too GOOD, too subtle and too refined to appeal to drinkers of more…let’s say plebian taste. After all, what proportion of wine drinkers approach the beverage craving experiences of beauty and meaning and cerebral fascination?
So I think the market can grow, to the extent it locates each drinker who prizes those attributes, or even persuades people that those attributes are worth cherishing. But that’s slow work, and as the saying goes; slow work takes time.
The future of native grown Riesling will certainly be liveliest in the snow-zones; upstate NY and places like it. Good to very good wines are already appearing, and the indicators point up.
Michigan, Michigan, Michigan. Peninsula, Grand Travers, Left-foot Charlie, Black Star, others. Very good Rieslings at $10-17+, and some other interesting varietal wines. Well worth checking out for any U.S. Riesling aficionado. Unfortunately, Michigan has stupid shipping laws.
I’ve only had Wynncroft’s b’x-style red and could not love it, though I’ve read many laudatory notes about their wines for others.
Michigan has killed it across the board. This year, I did just 5 pairs and MI took 3/5. Last year, 4 of the top 5 were MI and in '08 3 of the top 5 (tho an OH would have been #1 had it done it that way.) Two Lads Reserve 07 is the only wine from either state I would give over 90pts, if I gave points.
I think those two peninsulas are some of the most fascinating terroirs in the US and, if climate/technology permits the vines to get the age they need, we will see some of the best wines in the US from there.
Left Foot Charley’s Riesling has been spot on across several vintages.