About the region >> The world of wine >> Vine varieties
Vine varieties
Grauburgunder
The Grauburgunder (“Ruländer” and “Pinot gris” elsewhere) grows in deep soils. Red, white and blue grapes occasionally hang on the same shoot. It is bright yellow gold. Depending on the vintage, it ranges from light and tangy to full-bodied and rich. Those who really want to enjoy Grauburgunder should never be in a great hurry!
Tipp: Goes with poultry, fish, roasts with light sauces and asparagus. Drinking temperature: 10-12 °C!
Kerner
How should it be otherwise? If it is named after the Weinsberg physician and poet Justinus Kerner, it has to be a typical Württemberg wine. The Kerner variety was cultivated from the Trollinger and Riesling vines, and delivers quality-tested wines par excellence. The white wine develops fine, spicy fruit typical to the variety. It has the fine-racy acidity of a Riesling.
Tipp: The dry-finish Kerner can really unfurl with light meat varieties, entrails and poultry. Drinking temperature: 10-12 °C!
Lemberger
This is also a typical Württemberg vine. It is cultivated throughout the region, especially in the Zabergäu area as well as Stromberg in the Weinsberg Valley. It needs optimal, warm locations and renders relatively marginal yields. Lemberger should mature at least 3 years before it is consumed. Its colour is dark-red to violet. It develops a fine dry, fruity aroma and a robust body.
Tipp: A good companion to game and mushroom dishes as well as lamb, mutton and grilled meat. Drinking temperature: 18 ° C!
Müller-Thurgau
This vine is crossed between “Gutedel” and Riesling by Professor Müller from the Swiss canton Thurgau: Yellow-gold in the glass, with an occasional light Muscat tone.
Tipp: Tastes good with fresh-water fish and pork roast. Drinking temperature: 10-12 °C!
Riesling
The king of white wines is the most frequently cultivated wine variety. It matures very late, does not yield great quantities, poses high demands on the location and appears yellow-gold with light green in the glass. The connoisseur says: “There are no petty Riesling wines, at the most those that are too young”.
Tipp: Tastes very good with shellfish and fishes (particularly trout), poultry, pork and veal. Ideally, it goes with the “royal vegetable” – asparagus – which has its firm place on the Rhine plain. Drinking temperature: 10-12 °C!
Schillerwein
The name does not stem from the poet, but from its “opalescent” colour. It is a genuine Württemberg wine. For centuries it has been extracted here from jointly pressed blue, red and white grapes. But only Württemberg vine varieties may be utilised. This is why the “Schiller” is so rich in variety and harmoniously unites many taste components. And it is a thirst quencher, also refreshing as a “Schorle” (with a splash of mineral water).
Tipp: As a fresh, light wine it can accompany many dishes: Vegetable dishes and light meat dishes. Drinking temperature: 10-12 °C!
Schwarzriesling
his is indigenous to the Kraichgau-Stromberg region in Baden-Württemberg, but it is only found in the Baden wine-growing area Kraichgau. It is somewhat lighter than “Spätburgunder”; despite the name, it is not related to Riesling. It matures early and has no special location demands. It yields mild wines with velvety, gentle acidity and luminous red colour.
Tipp: Tastes good with game, lamb, beef and poultry. Drinking temperature: 16-18 °C!
Spätburgunder
Also known as “Blauburgunder” or “Pinot noir”: In Baden it is the most frequently cultivated red wine, and is also amongst the noblest red wine varieties. It has small berries, is purple-red in colour, has a fruity aroma, strength and fullness, matures late and poses high demands on location and microclimate. Its yields are not particularly great, but on the other hand its qualities are usually outstanding. It has a fine dry touch due to its tannin content. It stores well and increases in maturity over the years.
Tipp: Goes outstandingly with robust dishes such as game and roast beef. Drinking temperature: 18 °C!
Trollinger
It is – without exaggeration – the Swabian regular beverage. Trollinger (or “Tirolinger”) is a late maturing red wine, and is almost exclusively cultivated in Württemberg — in the major locations of the Heuchelberg and Stromberg regions. It grows best of all on steep slopes with nutrient-rich soils, and has large grapes with a great deal of juice. Trollinger glows light ruby-red in the glass, and has a medium to robust body; it is low in tannin and has a fresh, fruity aroma. It is a light, palatable wine.
Tipp: Württemberg inhabitants drink it with the region’s typical hearty dishes such as roast beef or lentil beans with “Spätzle” noodles as well as with roast goose. Drinking temperature: 16 °C!