Knipperlé

Infobox grape variety
name = Knipperlé


caption =
species = "Vitis vinifera"
also_called = Ortlieber (more)
origin = France
hazards =
regions = Alsace
notable_wines =

Knipperlé is a traditional French variety of white wine grape from Alsace. It's not listed on the AOC, but is a minor component of blends for local drinking, in some ways an Alsatian equivalent of its sibling Aligoté in Burgundy.

History

Nurseryman Johann Michael Ortlieb brought the grape to Riquewihr in 1756. It is probably closely related to Räuschling.

DNA fingerprinting has shown that it is one of many grapes to be the result of a cross between Gouais Blanc (Heunisch) and Pinot, making it a full sibling of famous varieties such as Chardonnay. Gouais Blanc is a Croatian grape, brought to Burgundy by the Romans, which used to be the most widely planted white grape in Germany and eastern France. Gouais Blanc was grown by the peasants in the less favoured sites, next to the better vineyards growing Pinot for their masters. This offered lots of opportunities for hybridisation, and the offspring benefited from hybrid vigour as the parents were genetically quite different.

Knipperlé is a parent of the following grapes, mostly "riparia" hybrids with Millardet et Grasset 101-14 :Bon Noir, Colmar Precoce Noir, Fin Noir, Gutkniperle, Kuhlmann 252-3, Kuhlmann 274-1, Millardet Et Grasset 101-14 X Ortlieber, Neron, Triomphe D'Alsace, Victoire

Distribution and Wines

Some Knipperlé is still grown in Alsace for local consumption, but is slowly disappearing.

Vine and Viticulture

The vine is vigorous but yields are variable, and it is particularly susceptible to grey rot.

ynonyms

Beli Kleschiz, Breisgauer Riesling, Colmer, Drobni Kleshiz, Elsaesser, Eltinger, Faktor, Gelber Ortlieber, Kauka Weiss, Kipperle, Klein Rauschling, Kleiner Gelber, Kleiner Methuesser, Klescec, Kleschiz Beli, Knackerle, Kniperle, Libiza, Mali Javor, Metsuesser Klein, Mielleux Petit, Oettlinger, Ortlibi Sarga, Ortlieber, Ortlieber A 2, Ortlieber Früh, Ortlieber Gelb, Ortlieber Grün, Ortlieber Spaet, Ortlieber Weiss, Ortlieber Weisser, Ortliebi, Ortliebske Rane, Ortliebstraube, Petit Mielleux, Raeuschling Klein, Reichenweiberer, Reichenweierer, Reichenweiherer, Rochelle, Rochelle Blanche, Roshel, Rungauer, Sibiza, Türkheimercite web | last =Maul | first =Erika | authorlink = | coauthors = Töpfer, Reinhard; Eibach, Rudolf | title = Vitis International Variety Catalogue | work = | publisher = Institute for Grapevine Breeding Geilweilerhof (IRZ), Siebeldingen, Germany | date = 2007 | url = http://www.vivc.bafz.de | format = | doi = | accessdate = 2007-08-30]

ee also

* Other Gouais Blanc/Pinot crosses include Aubin Vert, Auxerrois, Bachet noir, Beaunoir, Franc Noir de la Haute-Saône, Gamay Blanc Gloriod, Gamay, Melon, Peurion, Romorantin, Roublot, and Sacy

Notes and references

Further reading

*
* cite book
last = Robinson
first = Jancis
authorlink = Jancis Robinson
title = The Oxford Companion to Wine, third edition
publisher = Oxford University Press
date = 2006
location =
pages =
id = 978-0198609902

External links

* [http://www.vivc.bafz.de/datasheet/dataResultBibliog.php?topic=6312 VIVC Bibliography]