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Muller-Thurgau
[MEW-luhr TOOR-gow; MOO-lehr TOOR-gow]

Dr. Hermann Müller, who created the Müller-Thurgau variety in the late 1800s, indicated that this grape was a RIESLING-SYLVANER hybrid, and this was thought to be the case for many decades. Then some ENOLOGISTS believed this grape was a CROSS of two strains of RIESLING. Most recent DNA analysis indicates that Riesling is one parent but that the other is CHASSELAS. Regardless of its beginnings, this white-wine grape is now one of the most widely cultivated grapes in Germany, especially in the regions of BADEN, RHEINHESSEN, and PFALZ. Although not extensively grown in the United States, this prolific vine is planted in Austria, Switzerland, England, New Zealand, Italy’s northern mountain regions, and Hungary (the world’s second largest grower after Germany). Müller-Thurgau grapes produce smooth, low-ACIDITY, medium-sweet wines with a hint of MUSCAT character. Unfortunately, because of high YIELDS, these wines generally lack flavor, and most don’t age well. The best wines come from Germany’s MOSEL region and Italy’s ALTO ADIGE. They’re made with grapes grown in yield-restricted vineyards, which produce grapes with concentrated flavor. Müller-Thurgau is also a heavy contributor to the flood of inexpensive LIEBFRAUMILCH coming out of Germany. In New Zealand, the wines— often referred to as Riesling-Sylvaner—have higher acidity and are more flavorful than most German examples. Müller-Thurgau is also known as Rivaner and Rizlingszilvani.
Related Links: Riesling, Sylvaner, hybrid, Chasselas
© Copyright Barron's Educational Services, Inc.
1995 based on THE WINE LOVER'S COMPANION,
by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst.

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