Ehrenfelser

Infobox grape variety
name = Ehrenfelser

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caption = The ruins of "Burg Ehrenfels", from which the Ehrenfelser grape takes its name
species = "Vitis vinifera"
also_called = Geisenheim 9-93
origin = Geisenheim, Rheingau, Germany
hazards =
regions =
notable_wines =

Ehrenfelser is a white wine grape variety of German origin. It was created by Dr. Heinrich Birk (1898-1973) at the Geisenheim Grape Breeding Institute in 1929, by crossing the varieties Riesling and Silvaner, with the identification of Silvaner being somewhat uncertain. [http://www.vivc.bafz.de/datasheet/dataResult.php?data=3847 Vitis International Variety Catalogue: Ehrenfelser] , accessed on May 16, 2008] [http://www.wein-plus.de/glossar/index.html?Suchwort=Ehrenfelser Wein-Plus Glossar: Ehrenfelser] , accessed on May 16, 2008]

Ehrenfelser is grown primarily in the Palatinate and Rheinhessen regions in Germany Oz Clarke "Encyclopedia of Grapes" pg 88 Harcourt Books 2001 ISBN 0151007144 ] with some experimental plantings in Washington State. Robert Irvine & Walter Clore, "The Wine Project", pg 435 Sketch Publications 1997 ISBN 0-9650834-9-7 ] However, as is the case with most white German "new crosses", plantings within Germany have decreased considerably in recent years. In 2006, only convert|112|ha of plantings remained, [http://www.deutscheweine.de/icc/Internet-DE/med/1a6/1a64f607-a3e5-5117-3d28-952196117f51,11111111-1111-1111-1111-111111111111.pdf German Wine Institute: German Wine Statistics 2007-2008] ] down from convert|255|ha in 1999. [http://www.deutscheweine.de/icc/Internet-DE/med/00f/00f51f4e-0098-401b-e592-6461d7937aae,11111111-1111-1111-1111-111111111111.pdf German Wine Institute: German Wine Statistics 2004-2005] ]

Several vineyards in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia also grow Ehrenfelser, including at least Cedar Creek, Lake Breeze, Gray Monk, Gehringer Brothers, and Summerhill. The grape tends to ripen earlier and produce higher yields then Riesling but its quality is not on par with that of its parent grape.

The variety normally consistently produces grapes of at least Kabinett level ripeness and tends to produce well in vineyards where Riesling has difficulties. Jancis Robinson, "Vines, Grapes & Wine", pg 252 Octopus Publishing 1986 ISBN 978-1-85732-999-5 ]

Ehrenfelser derives its name from the "Burg Ehrenfels" ruins located on the Rhine near Rüdesheim. It is also known under the synonym Geisenheim 9-93.

References