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Lexicon

The largest wine encyclopedia in the world with 26,295 Terms.

0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Quality wine grape varieties

According to EU regulations, member states must classify the wine grape varieties that may be planted or grafted in their territory for the purpose of wine production. These must belong to the European species Vitis vinifera or originate from a cross between this species and other species of the genus Vitis (e.g. the Asian Vitis amurensis or the American Vitis labrusca).

Prohibited American vines

However, six grape varieties are prohibited even though they fulfil these conditions. These are Clinton, Herbemont, Isabella, Jacquez, Noah and Othello. There are historical reasons why these six in particular are banned, which nobody knows or can explain, even from an official point of view (one of the secrets of EU laws). Although these are American hybrids, there are countless others that are authorised for cultivation. If varieties are deleted from the classification, the areas concerned must be cleared within 15 years of their deletion (with the exception of areas for the vintner's own use).

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Dr. Edgar Müller

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Dr. Edgar Müller
Dozent, Önologe und Weinbauberater, Bad Kreuznach

The world's largest Lexicon of wine terms.

26,295 Keywords · 46,494 Synonyms · 259,217 Cross-references
made with ♥ by our author Norbert F. J. Tischelmayer. About the Lexicon

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