Though the trend is now in the other direction, for many years Riesling was known for producing wines with little alcohol and some residual sugar - too sweet for many modern wine drinkers. Though it's now cultivated worldwide, Riesling is nearly synonymous with German wine, and that country's winemakers have lately begun to produce some very exciting dry versions. They are careful to retain the delightful honeyed, flinty flavors that the best sweet Rieslings have always displayed. Alsace, of course, is another of the classic sources of Riesling; these wines have historically been much drier than their German counterparts, although some excellent sweet versions are produced when the vintage allows for it.