The white grape variety originates from France. There are around 150 synonyms that testify to its great age and worldwide distribution in many wine-growing countries. The most important of these, grouped alphabetically by country, are Drusen, Druser, Grauburgunder, Grauer Burgunder, Grauer Clevner, Kleiner Traminer, Rheingrauer, Ruländer, Speyerer (Germany, Austria); Affume, Arnaison Gris, Arnoison Gris, Auvernat Gris, Auxerrat, Auxerrois Gris, Auxois, Beurot, Friset, Fromenteau Gris, Griset, Malvoisie, Moréote Gris, Muscade, Noirien Gris, Pineau Cendre, Pineau Cendrée, Pinot Beurot (France); Edelklevner, Tokay until 2007; then banned (Alsace); Pinot Grigio, Rulander Grigio (Italy); Râjik (Moldova); Griset, Musler (Switzerland); Burgundské Sivé, Rulandské Sivé(Slovakia); Sivi Pinot (Slovenia); Rulandské Šedé, Burgundské Šedé(Czech Republic); Hamvas Szoeloe, Skürzebarát (Hungary).

Origin

According to legend, Emperor Charles IV (1316-1378) brought the vine from France to Hungary as early as 1375, where it was cultivated by Cistercian monks on Lake Balaton. This is why the Hungarian name is Szürkebarát (grey monk). From Hungary, it then supposedly found its way back to Alsace and was called Tokay here. The name, which has been banned since 2007, was presumably intended by Alsatian winegrowers to capitalise on the famous name.

However, the first reliable mention of it dates back to 1711 in Speyer in...