The exact origin of this white grape variety is unknown. Synonyms are Krainfranke and Philipp Cuntzrebe. It should not be confused with Silvaner, which was also formerly known as Grünfränkisch. According to DNA analyses carried out between 2014 and 2016 (Dr. Erika Maul of JKI), the variety originates from a presumably natural cross between Auxerrois x Kövidinka. It is a very old variety that has already been considered extinct. It was rediscovered in 2009 by the biologist Andreas Jung. He believes that a 300-year-old description of the variety shows that the actual grape variety of Liebfrauenmilch was not Riesling, but very probably Grünfränkisch. Grünfränkisch was already mentioned for the Southern Palatinate in the 16th century. The history of this grape variety goes back to ancient times and found its home on the Rhine via northern Hungary. It belonged to the so-called Franconian, i.e. qualitatively "better" varieties.
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