The white grape variety is a new breed between Cape Riesling (Crouchen) x Ugni Blanc (Trebbiano Toscano). The interim assumption that Sémillon was the parent variety was proven to be wrong by DNA analyses carried out in 2007. The cross was made in 1964 by Professor Christiaan Johannes Orffer (1926-2008) at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa. The early-maturing, high-yielding vine is resistant to grape rot and most fungal diseases, with the exception of powdery mildew. It yields white wines with aromas of grass and green pepper that are mainly used for blends. In 2016, 428 hectares of vines were designated (Kym Anderson).
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Dr. Christa Hanten
Fachjournalistin, Lektorin und Verkosterin, Wien