Kerner
Kerner is a successful new variety from the 20th century and produces fine aromatic and acidic wines.
Place value
In 1992, Kerner had its peak with about 7,800 ha of planted vineyards in Germany. In 2019, the figure was only 2,400 ha. In Rheinhessen, 642 ha* (2% of the vineyard area) were still planted with Kerner in 2021, including 3.6 ha* in Harxheim. Here, too, the area under Kerner grapes has been reduced by over 40% in the last 20 years.
History
The white wine variety Kerner is a new variety. It was created in 1929 through a cross between the red Trollinger and white Riesling. The breeding was carried out by the State Research Institute for Viticulture and Fruit Growing in Weinsberg in its Lauffen am Neckar branch by the vine breeder August Herold. Therefore, the vine was first called “White Herald”. Over the years, people remembered that the poet and chief medical officer Justinus Kerner (1786-1862) had also lived in Weinsberg, so the vine was renamed “Kerner”. In 1969 Kerner was registered in the list of varieties and thus received plant variety protection. In the 70s of the last century, the grape variety gained more and more importance and was quite popular among winemakers and consumers for a while. In the meantime, however, Kerner is showing a strong downward trend.
Vinification
Wine produced from Kerner can be found in Rheinhessen in a wide variety of quality grades. In the glass, the Kerner is from pale yellow to straw yellow color. Its bouquet is more aromatic compared to Riesling, it drinks somewhat acidic and is finely aromatic and fruity.
Pleasure
When tasting Kerner, these wines show aromas of green apple, currant, orange jam, pear, apricot and also ice candy on the nose. Some Kerner wines also have slight musky tones. If this wine is dry or off-dry, it goes well with dishes such as poultry or veal, with a mild semi-hard or fresh cheese, but also with asparagus and fish dishes. A Kerner wine is always recommended for desserts with an apple component.
As of 31.01.2022, German Wine Institute 2022 White grape varieties Kerner, https://www.deutscheweine.de/wissen/rebsorten/weisse-rebsorten/kerner,
Rheinhessenwein e. V. 2022 White grape varieties Kerner https://www.rheinhessen.de/kerner
Wikipedia Kerner_(grape variety) https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerner
Chamber of Agriculture Rhineland-Palatinate, EU vineyard register, status 2022
