Riesling most likely hails from the Rhine region of Germany, but it has shown great success in other European wine regions, primary Austria and Alsace, as well as the United States and Australia. However, the best expressions of the grape are thought to be in Germany where Riesling remains the most planted grape variety.

Always high in natural acidity, Riesling wines are incredibly versatile and may range from dry, medium dry or medium sweet to sweet styles. Their primary aromas include a complex combination of ripe peaches, nectarines, pears, apples, and citrus that are often accompanied by herbal, floral, mineral, and earthy nuances, while a distinctive element found in aged Riesling wines is the smoky aroma of petrol. 

Spätlese Riesling is one of the categories for late-harvest German Riesling wines. It falls under a broader category of Prädikatswein—which is a classification based on the ripeness level at which the grapes are harvested.

Apart from Spätlese, this category also includes Kabinett (the least amount of sugar), Auslese, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese, and Eiswein. Spätlese is made from fully ripe grapes, and it is the lightest variety of late harvest wines.

The grapes are typically picked one week after regular harvest. However, as the term only refers to the degree of ripeness, these wines can vary in character—from dry to medium-sweet. 

Liebfraumilch is a semi-sweet German wine style produced in Rheinhessen, Pfalz, Rheingau, and Nahe wine regions. Although official regulations stipulate that at least 70% of the blend has to include Müller-Thurgau, Bacchus, Silvaner, or Riesling, most producers opt for Müller-Thurgau.

Liebfraumilch is mostly made for export. It enjoys a poor reputation, and it is often dubbed as a sweet and cheap supermarket wine. It was especially popular during the 1970s when it was usually regarded as a bulk wine intended for mass consumption. 

Kerner is a German grape that was developed in 1929 as a cross between Riesling and Trollinger (also known as Schiava Grossa and Vernatsch). It was introduced in the 1960s, first in Germany and then Italy, where it is mainly used in several regional appellations in Alto Adige/Südtirol.

It is also cultivated in Switzerland, Canada, England, and Japan. The grape has a fresh and fruity Riesling-like character. If treated properly, the wines are well-structured and rich in flavor, while the aromas are reminiscent of pear, citrus, and stone fruit. 

Sekt is the German term for sparkling wine, widely produced in Germany, Austria, and other German-speaking regions. It encompasses a variety of styles, ranging from dry to sweet, and is made using different methods and grape varieties. Deutscher Sekt is made exclusively from German-grown grapes, while Sekt b.

A. comes from specific regions like Mosel or Rheingau, and Winzersekt represents premium, small-batch sparkling wines from a single vintage or grape variety. Production methods include the Charmat method, where secondary fermentation occurs in tanks, and the Traditional method, akin to Champagne production, with fermentation in the bottle.