The white grape variety originates from Germany. Around 125 synonyms attest to its great age and once wide distribution. Important ones are Aelbinen, Albich, Albig, Alben, Albich, Alva, Burgegger, Elbinger, Frankenthaler, Grausilber, Grobburger, Grobe from Austria, Grobriesling, Großriesling, Grüner Heunisch, Grünsilber, Kleinbeer, Kleinberger, Kleinburger, Rheinalben, Schuldenzahler, Silberweiß, Weißer Elbling, Weißer Silvaner, Weißstock (Germany); Burger, Burgauer, Elbling Blanc, Rheinelbe (Alsace); Allemand, Allemand Blanc, Allemand Facun, Alsacien, Facon Blanc, Facum d'Allemagne, Gonais Blanc, Gros Blanc, Lausanois, Mouillet, Plant Madame, Raisin Blanc des Allemands, Tarant de Bohème, Verdin Blanc, Vert Blanc (France); Tarant Bily (Croatia); Räifrench (Luxembourg); Burger Elbling, Alsatian, Haussard, Ysèle (Switzerland).
It must not be confused with the varieties Gouais Blanc (Kleinberger), Gros Blanc, Pedro Ximénez or Silvaner, despite seemingly suggestive synonyms or morphological similarities. In California, the variety Monbadon (Burger) used to be erroneously called Elbling. However, there are other varieties with the name part Elbling. According to Dr Erika Maul (Julius Kühn-Institut), the following five Elbling varieties are genetically differentiated. Confusingly, some of them have...
The glossary is a monumental achievement and one of the most important contributions to wine knowledge. Of all the encyclopaedias I use on the subject of wine, it is by far the most important. That was the case ten years ago and it hasn't changed since.
Andreas Essl
Autor, Modena