Every other month, our 5 to Try series showcases five examples of stellar wines from varying styles, grapes, and Germany’s 13 winegrowing regions. This spotlight is on German-bred wine crossings! We’re highlighting the ingenuity of German viticulture with wines produced from grape crossings that were originally bred in Germany, such as Scheurebe, Dornfelder, and Müller-Thurgau.
Explore and sip a new German wine from our 5 examples below, and discover more German wine varieties here!
- Fritz Müller Müller-Thurgau Secco, Rheinhessen
Müller-Thurgau is an approachable white variety, created by Dr. Hermann Müller of Thurgau, Switzerland in 1882 at Geisenheim, a world-renowned viticulture and horticulture university and research center in the Rheingau. Müller crossed Riesling and Madeleine Royale grapes to produce a variety that ripened early in Germany’s cool climate. It quickly became popular among German winegrowers and is planted in all 13 German wine regions. Fritz Müller’s semi-sparkling expression is fresh and fruity with notes of green apple and grapefruit, and is sure to delight.
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2. Pfeffingen Scheurebe Dry, Pfalz
Until 2012, Scheurebe was thought to be a crossing of Riesling and Silvaner, yet DNA profiling revealed it to be Riesling and a wild grape Bukettrebe. Originally bred in Rheinhessen by Georg Scheu in 1916, Scheurebe is typically full-bodied with pronounced acidity, bouquet, and flavor profile. Fresh lime dances along with blackcurrant aroma in this gorgeous, elegant wine from Pfeffingen.
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3. Andi Weigand White Cuvée, Franken
A succulent blend of white grapes Bacchus, Scheurebe, Müller-Thurgau, Silvaner, Riesling, and Weissburgunder, this wine delivers notes of fruit and citrus with a touch of smoke and tropical vibes. Bacchus is a crossing of Müller-Thurgau with a Silvaner x Riesling cross, bred in the Pfalz in 1933 by viticulturist Peter Morio. Favored among German winemakers for ripening easily and achieving high must weights, Bacchus wines are typically rich in extract and express powerful flavors with floral aromas.
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4. Müller-Catoir Haardter Herzog Rieslaner Auslese, Pfalz 
Rieslaner is a cross between Riesling and Silvaner, combining Riesling’s acidity and Silvaner’s thick skin. This somewhat difficult grape to grow was created by August Ziegler in Germany’s Franken region in 1921, bred to perform well with botrytis. When grown in top sites and nurtured to its full potential, Rieslaner creates high quality wines with the perfect balance of acidity and sweetness. This is epitomized by Müller-Catoir’s Auslese offering, featuring herbal aromas of eucalyptus and hay, a juicy, creamy body, and flavors of stone fruits with notes of caramel and a fresh finish.
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5. Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler Noble House Dornfelder, Mosel
Bred in 1955 by August Herold in Württemberg from crossing hybrid grapes Helfenstiner (Frühburgunder x Trollinger) and Heroldrebe (Blauer Portugieser and Lemberger), both also developed by Herold, Dornfelder is a classic German red wine that delivers intense color and aromas of sour cherry and blackberry. This wine from Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler would pair well with an elegant occasion, exhibiting Dornfelder’s trademark richness, smoothness, and gorgeous red color.
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Plan on trying these wines? Let us know what you’re drinking by tagging @GermanWineUSA!
