The white grape variety (Breeding No. Würzburg B 48-21-4) is a new cross between Müller-Thurgau x Siegerrebe, which was confirmed by DNA analyses published in 2012. The cross was made in 1948 by the breeder Dr. Hans Breider (1908-2000) at the Bavarian State Institute for Viticulture and Horticulture in Würzburg. The breeder named it after his favourite philosopher, the Spanish poet José Ortega y Gasset (1883-1955). Plant variety protection was granted in 1981. Incidentally, the same parents also produced the three new varieties Muscabona, Tamara and Thekla. The early-ripening vine is sensitive to spring frosts, susceptible to botrytis and trickling, but resistant to both types of powdery mildew. It produces flowery, rather low-acid white wines with peach aroma and is also used as table grape. The variety is mainly grown in Germany (440 ha), as well as smaller quantities in England (24 ha), Canada (26 ha) and Switzerland (0.2 ha). In 2016, a total of 532 hectares of vineyard area were designated (Kym Anderson).
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Diplom-Sommelier, Weinakademiker und Weinberater, Volders (Österreich)