The white grape variety originates from Germany. Around 125 synonyms testify to its great age and once wide distribution. Important ones include Aelbinen, Albich, Alben, Albich, Alva, Burgegger, Elbinger, Frankenthaler, Grausilber, Grobburger, Grobe from Austria, Grobriesling, Großriesling, Grüner Heunisch, Grünsilber, Kleinbeer, Kleinberger, Kleinburger, Rheinalben, Schuldenzahler, Silver White, White Elbling, White Silvaner, White Stock (Germany); Burgauer, Elbling Blanc, Rheinelbe (Alsace); Allemand Blanc, Allemand Facun, Alsacien, Facon Blanc, Facum d’Allemagne, Gonais 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, Elsässer, Haussard, Ysèle (Switzerland). The Roman authors Columella and Pliny the Elder (23-79) described a vine called Vitis albuelis (Vitis alba, Uva alba) and hypothesized that this is an ancestor. From the Latin "albus" (white), one could derive "Elbling". Allegedly, the variety was already brought by the Romans from Italy 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 Franconian) and Traminer. The botanist Hieronymus Bock (1498-1554) mentions Elbling in 1546 in his work "Kreütter Buch" as "Albich" and "Albich grapes". In the Middle Ages, it was still the most common variety in Germany; it is suspected that around 1800, three-quarters of the vineyard area was planted with Elbling. From then on, it was continuously displaced by the strongly emerging varieties Riesling and Silvaner. However, the variety was still widespread until the 19th century and was present with some others like White Heunisch as a mixed set in the vineyard. It reached Switzerland via Alsace. According to DNA analyses conducted by Dr. Ferdinand Regner in 1998, the variety White Elbling is likely a natural cross between (Vitis vinifera sylvestris x Traminer) x White Heunisch (Gouais Blanc). This is also suspected for Riesling by Regner. However, it must be noted that while Gouais Blanc is confirmed, the involvement of Wild Vine and Traminer is not secured. Further DNA analyses from 2018 did not confirm this but resulted in a likely natural cross between an unknown mother variety x Heunisch (Gouais Blanc). Interestingly, the old synonyms Grobriesling and Großriesling would fit Regner's thesis. The variety was a crossing partner for the varieties Bronner grape, Elbriesling, Huxelrebe, Pinot Salomon, and Sulmer. Despite seemingly indicative synonyms or morphological similarities, it should not be confused with the varieties Gouais Blanc (Kleinberger), Gros Blanc, Pedro Ximénez, or Silvaner. In California, the variety Monbadon (Burger) was mistakenly referred to as Elbling. However, there are other varieties with the name part Elbling. According to Dr. Erika Maul (Julius Kühn Institute), the following five Elbling varieties are genetically differentiated. Confusingly, they have identical or at least very similar synonyms: Blue Elbling (Black Elbling) - cross Riesling x Schiava Grossa (Trollinger), Blauduftiger Trollinger (Black Blue Elbling, Black Elbling) - parentage unknown, Red Elbling - color mutation of White Elbling, Black Elbling (Blue Fragrant Trollinger, Black Elbling) - parentage unknown, Pinot Salomon (Black Elbling) - cross Pinot x Elbling. The early ripening vine is susceptible to fungal diseases such as both powdery mildew types and Botrytis as well as stem blight. It produces acidic white wines for quick enjoyment, which are excellent for the production of sparkling wine. In Germany, the variety is represented with 489 hectares of vineyard area almost exclusively in the Mosel growing region. Here, another 10 hectares were recorded for Red Elbling. In 1986, the "Association of Friends of Elbling Wine Obermosel e.V." was founded for image maintenance, and the 0.2-liter "Elbling Cup" with an engraved Elbling grape was created. There are further stocks in France (1 ha), Luxembourg (86 ha), Switzerland in the canton of Bern (1 ha), Luxembourg under the name Räifrench (86 ha), and the USA (396 ha). In 2016, a total of 972 hectares of vineyard area were reported (Kym Anderson). Images: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn Institute (JKI)
