Müller-Thurgau
Created in 1882 in Geisenheim by Professor Hermann Müller from Thurgau in Switzerland from a cross of Riesling x Madeleine royale, Müller-Thurgau is now the second most important white grape variety in German viticulture after Riesling.
Facts
-
10.970
hectares planted vineyards in Germany in 2022
-
ca. 20
percent of the area planted with white grape varieties in Rheinhessen
Cultivation
Müller-Thurgau vines can be found in almost all German growing regions. In 2022, the largest areas were in Rheinhessen with approx. 3,893 ha and in Baden with approx. 2,218 ha, followed by the Palatinate with approx. 1,630 ha, Franconia with approx. 1,400 ha and the Moselle with approx. 771 ha. The restriction on permissible yields per hectare of vineyard introduced in the 1980s has had a very positive effect, especially for Müller-Thurgau, which tends to produce high yields. With lower pruning, the variety shows its true quality potential.
Significance
In the German wine landscape, Müller-Thurgau relinquished its leading position to Riesling in the 1990s. However, with an area share of about 10.6%, the grape variety still has an outstanding importance in German viticulture. The fact that Müller-Thurgau now grows on almost 11,000 hectares is due, among other things, to its many uses and its accessibility even to non-wine connoisseurs. In addition, the Müller-Thurgau grape is not very demanding in terms of location and is considered to have a high yield.
Maturation and taste
The grape variety ripens early and produces drinkable, sometimes flowery wines with a delicately fruity muscat aroma. The acidity tends to be mild, sometimes more pronounced in wines of northern origin. The wine is usually matured in stainless steel tanks, which are good for preserving the freshness and varietal aroma. Most of the wines are dry or residually sweet quality wines. With some exceptions, Müller-Thurgau is not a storable wine and tastes best in the first few years after harvesting. Here and there, "sur lie" wines are also offered, which lay on the fine lees until shortly before bottling.
The wines are easily accessible in taste and are popular because of their harmonious character. They are pale yellow to light yellow in colour and have a medium body. If they bear the designation Rivaner on the label, one can assume that it is a dry, rather youthful, light and fresh wine. Müller-Thurgau wines are usually uncomplicated everyday wines that harmonise well with delicately aromatic dishes.
History
The grape variety owes its existence and name to Professor Hermann Müller from the Swiss canton of Thurgau. Müller, who lived from 1850 to 1927, bred this grape variety at the Geisenheim Research Institute. Recent genetic studies indicate beyond doubt that he succeeded in doing so by crossing Riesling x Madeleine royale. The variety was further developed at the Swiss research institute in Wädenswil and named after its breeder in 1913. The synonym Rivaner is a short version of the words Riesling and Silvaner. These two varieties were long considered the parents of Müller-Thurgau.
At a glance
- Breeding from a cross between Riesling x Madeleine royale
- occupies about 15 % of the white vineyards in Rheinhessen
- high-yielding and early ripening
- Aroma: delicately fruity-floral, delicate herbs, apples or pears.
What does Rivaner have to do with Müller-Thurgau?
The name Rivaner is composed of the varieties Riesling and Silvaner, which were long considered the parents of Müller-Thurgau. Therefore, Rivaner is often still used as a synonym for Müller-Thurgau.
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