Worst tasting riesling?

Question

Has anyone ever heard of a bad tasting riesling? One of the most bitter ones I've ever had and was in a miniature bottle with a high alcohol content. Not sure if it was a legitimately bad tasting or had been tampered with...

Answer 1

I can answer this.

It's a little esoteric and, surprisingly, it's German.

Durkheimer Abtsfronhof Spatlese Halbtrocken.

It was undrinkable.  I don't know if it had gone funky or what, but it was horrible.

Generally, a "bad" Riesling is one that has nothing going for it except sweetness - no body, no complexity, no structure.  This is typical of some of the cheap American Rieslings and even some cheap German Rieslings.

Answer 2

Absolutely! Go to Ontario wine country and you will taste some bad ones. That's not to say all of them are bad in that region, as there are in fact some decent rieslings there, but there are also some very bad ones.  

Answer 3

My first question would be is it a current vintage?

If it is and it tasted more like vinegar than wine, then it could be corked.

If it is an older vintage, then that's probably the problem.

White wines should be drank within 2 to 3 years after production (depending on the wine). Sweeter wines like riesling tend to go bad after a couple of years.

Answer 4

I don't know that I've had any that was downright bad. I don't care as much for American or Australian rieslings. I always go for German rieslings.