Riesling in Michigan: why it works so well in still and sparkling wine

Considered one of the wine world's most versatile and expressive grapes, there’s a reason Riesling is often called the king of white wines: few grapes can do as much or do it as beautifully. It can be made in a wide range of styles and paired with an equally wide range of dishes, from curry to sushi to Thanksgiving turkey.

That versatility is a big part of what has made Riesling such an enduring favorite, both around the world and here in Michigan. Here’s a closer look at where the grape comes from, why it does so well in our region, and what makes it such a compelling choice in both still and sparkling wine.

A Brief History of Riesling

Riesling traces its roots to Germany's Rhine region, with a recorded history that stretches back nearly six centuries. The earliest documented mention of Riesling dates back to March 13, 1435, a date now widely recognized as the grape's official birthday.

It also comes from one of wine's most influential family trees. DNA research has linked Riesling to Gouais Blanc, one of the parent varieties connected to several major European wine grapes like Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, and Petit Verdot.

For a grape with such a long history, Riesling still feels surprisingly current. It has remained relevant because it adapts so naturally to different regions, styles, and winemaking approaches.

Why Riesling is Misunderstood

Although Riesling is one of the world’s most respected white grapes, it has long been misunderstood in the American market. Riesling’s reputation in the U.S. has been largely shaped by sweeter imported styles, which have obscured the grape’s true range and versatility.

In reality, Riesling is not defined by sweetness alone. It is a grape capable of remarkable precision, nuance, and a strong sense of place, which helps explain why wine lovers and winemakers continue to come back to it.

What Makes Riesling Special

Riesling can be made in a variety of styles, from bone-dry to lusciously sweet, and from still wine to sparkling. No matter the style, what makes it so distinctive is its expressive aromatics, ability to balance freshness with depth of flavor, and the way it reflects where it is grown. It is also one of the few white grapes with serious aging potential.

Riesling’s versatility is also why people sometimes think of it as a kind of Swiss Army knife when it comes to food pairings. The grape’s high acidity and range of styles give it room to work with all kinds of food, from spicy dishes and rich, fatty foods to lean seafood and dessert. That is a pretty wide lane, and it helps explain why Riesling can feel equally at home at a dinner party, with takeout, or poured alongside a holiday meal.

Why Riesling Thrives in Michigan

Riesling performs best in cooler climates where fruit can ripen gradually and hold onto its natural acidity and aromatics. That kind of long, measured growing season gives the grape time to develop flavor without losing the freshness and structure that make it so unique.

Michigan's geography and climate are especially well suited to those growing conditions. The Great Lakes help moderate temperature extremes, which supports fruit growing across the state and creates a steadier ripening environment in many vineyard areas. Proximity to Lake Michigan can soften daily temperature swings, with cooler daytime highs and milder nighttime lows, while site conditions like slope, aspect, and soil further shape how grapes ripen. Taken together, that combination helps Michigan Riesling develop the bright acidity, complexity, and clarity that make it so well suited to both still and sparkling wine.

Why Riesling works so well in sparkling wine

Riesling’s naturally high acidity also makes it a great fit for sparkling wine. Acidity is one of the key building blocks of great bubbles, and Riesling brings plenty of it, along with the aromatic lift that keeps a wine feeling fresh and expressive in the glass.

That helps explain the appeal of sparkling Riesling. It keeps everything people love about the grape, while adding another layer of texture and vibrancy.

Riesling also brings some practical advantages in the vineyard, especially when sparkling wine is the goal. Fruit used for sparkling wine is picked earlier than fruit destined for still wine, which can be helpful in wetter stretches of the growing season because it gets grapes in before late-season pressure has more time to build. The result is a style of sparkling Riesling that can feel bright and lively on release, while still having the structure to age well.

For anyone who thinks Riesling begins and ends with sweetness, sparkling Riesling is one of the most convincing ways to show how flexible this grape can be.

How Riesling Fits in at MAWBY and bigLITTLE

At MAWBY and bigLITTLE, we keep coming back to Riesling because it gives us so much room to play. It can take different forms from one wine to the next and still feel true to itself, which is part of what makes it such a rewarding grape to work with.

You’ll find Riesling in several of our wines. At bigLITTLE, it shows up in Tire Swing, Mixtape, and Driftwood. At MAWBY, it appears in Once and our newest Méthode Champenoise, North, which will be available to the public at the end of April 2026. Across those wines, it helps tell a broader story about just how much range Riesling has.

A Grape Worth Getting to Know

For all the history behind Riesling, it never feels stuck in the past. It still has a way of feeling full of possibility. It can change minds, challenge old assumptions, and show up in the glass in more than one form without ever losing its identity.

In Michigan, Riesling has found a natural home, and in our own wines, it continues to show us something a little different each time. For us, it remains one of the clearest examples of how place, climate, and winemaking style can come together in ways that feel both distinctive and approachable. The more you spend time with Riesling, the easier it is to understand why it has held people’s attention for centuries.

Cheers!