Vine flower

This term has a double meaning:

Plant species - Christmas rose

Formerly a common name in Germany, especially in the Palatinate, for the Christmas rose (also Christwurz, Schneerose, Schwarze Nieswurz, Weihnachtsrose), whose white or reddish flowers appear as early as December to February. It should not be confused with the wine rose (apple rose). The vine flower or Christmas rose was once considered sacred and was believed to have the power to cure the plague. According to old folk belief, the more numerous and splendid the flower bloomed around Christmas time, the better the prospects for the coming autumn and thus also for the grape harvest. According to an old recipe, a Christmas rose wine was also made from these flowers. Two finely chopped snow roses (two ounces) were mixed with two pounds of Spanish wine, which was placed in a vial in the sun during the dog days (the period from 23 July to 23 August). According to another recipe, this was made from the dried rhizome. The canonised mystic, healer and poet Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179) recommended Christ rose wine as a remedy for poor circulation, stomach cramps and vomiting. See also under wine customs and special wines.

To read the full text, you must be a Premium Member of wein.plus. You are currently not logged in to wein.plus. Become a Premium Member or log in with your credentials .

Become a Premium Member of wein.plus

Voices of our members

As honorary chairman of the Domäne Wachau, it is the easiest and quickest way for me to access the wein.plus encyclopaedia when I have questions. The certainty of receiving well-founded and up-to-date information here makes it an indispensable guide.
Hans-Georg Schwarz
Ehrenobmann der Domäne Wachau (Wachau)

Welcome back!

Vine flower

Plant species - Christmas rose

To read the full text, you must be a Premium Member of wein.plus. You are currently not logged in to wein.plus. Become a Premium Member or log in with your credentials .

Voices of our members

The world's largest Lexicon of wine terms.

EVENTS NEAR YOU