The white grape variety (also Geilweilerhof GA-49-22) is a new variety between Bacchus x Seyve-Villard 12-375 (Villard Blanc). The same parents also produced the new varieties Sirius and Staufer. The name comes from the well-known bird from mythology that burnt itself to emerge new and rejuvenated from the ashes. It contains genes from Vitis berlandieri, Vitis rupestris and Vitis vinifera. The hybrid was crossed by the breeder Dr. Gerhardt Alleweldt (1927-2005) at the Geilweilerhof in Siebeldingen-Pfalz. Plant variety protection was granted in 1992. The medium-early ripening, frost-hardy variety is resistant to both types of powdery mildew and is therefore considered a so-called PIWI variety, but is susceptible to botrytis. It produces yellow-green white wines with moderate acidity, a discreet muscat tone and aromas of elderberry. However, the variety is also used as table grape. In 2018, it occupied 46 hectares of vineyards in Germany (Nahe and Rheinhessen) (D-STATIS). There are further stocks in England, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland and Austria.
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Sigi Hiss
freier Autor und Weinberater (Fine, Vinum u.a.), Bad Krozingen