The white grape variety originates from Croatia (old Austria) or, more broadly, from the catchment area of the Danube. There are about 80 synonyms, which testify to the vine's great age and wide distribution. The most important ones, grouped alphabetically by country, are Kleinriesling, Wälschriesling (Germany); Meslier, Meslier de Champagne (France); Riesling Italico, Rismi, Risli (Italy); Graševina, Graševina Bijela, Laski Rizling, Riesling Italico, Taljanska Graševina (Croatia); Welscher, Welschriesling (Austria); Riesling Italian (Romania); Welschriesling (Switzerland); Laški Rizling (Serbia), Rizling Vlašský (Slovakia); Laški Rizling (Slovenia); Borba (Spain); Ryzlink Vlasský(Czech Republic); Nemes Olasz Rizling, Olasriesling, Olasz, Olasz Risling, Olaszrizling, Olasz Rizling, Olasz Rizlingi, Olasz Szoeloe (Hungary). It must not be confused with the varieties Aligoté, Greco, Petit Meslier, Pignoletto and certainly not with Riesling, despite seemingly suggestive synonyms or morphological similarities. Welschriesling was a crossing partner of the new varieties Bussanello, Cosmo, Dalmasso 12-40, Flavis, Goldburger, Goldriesling (2), Italica, Julie, Nosztori R izling, Pátria, Pelso, Pliniana, Rani Rizling and Șarbă.
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Dr. Christa Hanten
Fachjournalistin, Lektorin und Verkosterin, Wien