Cute, no? While it’s certainly not the case in terms of global percentage metrics (especially when compared to grapes like Chardonnay), Riesling has long been the darling of wine aficionados and the sommelier set. Driven by activist importers (Rudi Wiest, Terry Theise etc…), domestic powerhouses (Chateau Ste. Michelle, Pacific Rim etc..) and a fanatical group of winemakers and fans, the folks who work with Riesling have taken a very novel and energetic approach towards spreading their gospel.

First, I would like to bring up a very cool (and free) booklet you and any of your friends can obtain by going to a default ‘one stop shop’ for all things for this grape at Riesling Rules. A few products worth noting here, first is the booklet itself, appropriately entitled Riesling Rules, that provides an nice amounting of user-friendly content on the topic. Second, you can buy Rieslings. True confessions, it appears that they are all related to Randal Grahm’s ‘project’ up in Washington State, which is led by the talented Nicolas Quille, but they are (as I have tasted many of them) good wines. Finally, there’s a blog that is very enjoyable.

Second, there’s German Riesling week happening shortly, driven by the always productive folks at Wines of Germany, and highlighting this amazing varietal all over the USA and at a number of different establishments in multiple cities. A lot to coordinate, but delicious, featuring a wide array of wines and producers and restaurants, and a must-do for those impassioned by Riesling wines.

And for those of you in my part of the world (the Bay Area and San Francisco), there’s a riff off of this event happening at Farallon restaurant in San Francisco and driven by my good friend and Riesling zealot, Peter Palmer. Beginning Monday May 18 through Sunday May 24, 2009, in the dining room and at the always-cool Jelly Bar, they will celebrate Rieslings from all over- Austria, France, Germany, New Zealand and California: by the glass, as a comparative tasting flight, and as part of a special Chef’s Prix Fixe menu paired with, you guessed it, Riesling, Riesling and nothing but Riesling!

While the Zinfandel folks have ZAP, and Pinot Noir lovers have, well, many events, outside of this week, there’s seemingly not much given to white wines that I am aware of. And loving to support the underdog, as well as loving Riesling….

Does Riesling rock your world too?