The white grape variety originates from Germany. Around 125 synonyms testify to its great age and once widespread distribution. Important names include Aelbinen, Albich, Alben, Albich, Alva, Burgegger, Elbinger, Frankenthaler, Grausilber, Grobburger, Grobe from Austria, Grobriesling, Großriesling, Grüner Heunisch, Grünsilber, Kleinbeer, Kleinberger, Kleinburger, Rheinalben, Schuldenzahler, Silberweiß, Weißer Elbling, Weißer Silvaner, Weißstock (Germany); Burgauer, Elbling Blanc, Rheinelbe (Alsace); Allemand Blanc, Allemand Facun, Alsacien, Facon Blanc, Facum d'Allemagne, Gouais Blanc, Gros Blanc, Lausanois, Mouillet, Plant Madame, Raisin Blanc des Allemands, Tarant de Bohème, Verdin Blanc, Vert Blanc (France); Tarant Bily (Croatia); Räifrench (Luxembourg); Burger Elbling, Alsace, Haussard, Ysèle (Switzerland).
Origin
The Roman authors Columella and Pliny the Elder (23-79) described a vine called Vitis albuelis (Vitis alba, Uva alba) and hypothesised this to be an ancestor. One could derive "Elbling" from the Latin "albus" (white). The variety is said to have been brought from Italy by the Romans in the fourth century and cultivated on the Moselle. In any case, Elbling is one of the oldest grape varieties in Central Europe.
The variety was first mentioned in 1483 under the name Aelbinen in connection with the vineyards of the Bebenhausen monastery on the Kriegsberg in Stuttgart, together with Frennsch (see...
