At last, Riesling really means Riesling. From December 31 last year, the word ‘Riesling’ is illegal as a generic name for wine and can only refer to the grape variety of this name. Furthermore, according to the Australian Wine & Brandy Corporation it ‘may only be used in the description and presentation of wine if the product consists of at least 85% of the grape variety Riesling’. Unsold wines at retail prior to this date are still legal until June 30, but wholesale sales of wines labelled prior to 1 January 2001 may not be sold after June 30.
