It is a white grape variety native to the valleys of the Rhine where it was cultivated since Roman times. Its name reflects the German expression: "reissende tiere", ie wild animal, because of its vaguely musky wild aroma. In Italy it is cultivated mainly in Triveneto. The best–known varieties are the Renano and the Italico: the first, claimed by German vinegrowers as the "real" Riesling has a dry and aromatic at the same time flavour, the second has a fruity and bitterish flavour.
