The white grape variety (breeding number Weinsberg S 397) is a new cross between Riesling x Pinot Gris, which was confirmed by DNA analyses published in 2012. The cross was made by August Herold (1902-1973) in 1955 in Weinsberg (Württemberg). The name was given in honour of the famous son of the wine town Lauffen am Neckar, the poet Friedrich Hölderlin (1770-1843). Variety protection was granted in 1987. The medium-late ripening vine is resistant to botrytis and downy mildew. It produces a yellow-green, fruity-aromatic white wine similar to Riesling. The variety occupied three hectares of vineyards in Germany in 2018, with a falling trend (D-STATIS).
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Dr. Christa Hanten
Fachjournalistin, Lektorin und Verkosterin, Wien