Reichensteiner

Reichensteiner
Grape (Vitis)
Color of berry skinBlanc
SpeciesVitis vinifera
OriginGermany
Original pedigreeMüller-Thurgau × (Madeleine Angevine × Weißer Calabreser)
BreederH. Birk
Breeding instituteForschungsanstalt Geisenheim, Fachgebiet Rebenzüchtung und Rebenveredlung
Year of crossing1939
VIVC number10004

Reichensteiner is a white wine grape that is mainly grown in Germany (106 hectares (260 acres) (2008 fig.)),[1] England (85.38 hectares (211.0 acres) (2010 fig.)),[2] and New Zealand (72 hectares (180 acres) (2009 fig.)).[3] It is a cross between Müller-Thurgau and Madeleine Angevine x Calabreser Froehlich, and was first bred in Germany during 1939.[4][5]

In England, it is the 5th most grown variety after Chardonnay, Pinot noir, Bacchus, and Seyval blanc (2010 fig.).[2]

It is quite high in sugars, so is suited to cooler climates, and is suitable for making both sparkling and still wines, but often needs blending with other varieties as it does not add much flavor.

It has been used to breed Garanoir (Gamay noir x Reichensteiner)[5] and Ehrenbreitsteiner.

  1. ^ "German Wine Statistics 2009/2010" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  2. ^ a b English wine producers - Varietal Plantings (accessed 26 November 2012)
  3. ^ NZ Wine Statistical Annual 2009[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ Winegrowers.info - Reichensteiner info Archived 28 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine (accessed 16 August 2007)
  5. ^ a b Mimi.hu - Reichensteiner info (accessed 16 August 2007)