The white grape variety originates from Austria. There are over 40 synonyms, some grouped alphabetically by country are Zierfandler Rouge (France); Zierfandler Rosso (Italy); Zerjavina, Zerjavina Crvena (Croatia); Gumpoldskirchner, Gumpoldskirchner Spätrot, Raifler, Reifler, Roter Reifler, Roter Zierfandler, Rother Reifler, Rother Zierfahndler, Rothhinschen, Rothreifler, Rubiner, Spätrot, Spätroter, Spätroter Gumpoldskirchner (Austria); Cirfandli, Keson Piros, Nemes Cirfandli, Piros Cirfandli (Hungary). The main name is also used in different spellings for other grape varieties (see under Zierfahndler). The variety must not be confused with Silvaner (Grüner Zierfandler) or Zinfandel because of apparently suggestive synonyms, as well as morphological or name similarities. According to DNA analyses carried out in 2000, it is probably a natural cross between Traminer (Savagnin Blanc) x Roter Veltliner. Nothing is known about a possible genetic relationship to the variety Zierfandler Weiß (with white berries).
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Egon Mark
Diplom-Sommelier, Weinakademiker und Weinberater, Volders (Österreich)