Scheurebe
The Scheurebe was bred in Alzey, Rheinhessen. Wines from this vine have finely composed fruit aromas.
Place value
In 1985, the Scheurebe had reached its zenith in terms of planted vineyard area. Since that time, its share in Rheinhessen has been steadily declining; currently, 728 ha* (2.7%) are still planted with this vine. In Harxheim, too, the share of Scheurebe has decreased by 70% to 1.1 ha* (1.5%) in the last 20 years. The Scheurebe makes similarly high demands on the location as the Riesling vine. Dry and barren soils do not suit her. However, it does well with loess soils and calcareous soils, which are predominant in Rheinhessen. This is the reason why 56% of the vineyard area planted with Scheurebe in Germany is located in Rheinhessen.
Scheurebe
Image source: Marion Schenk
History
Scheurebe is a white wine variety that was bred in 1916 by Georg Scheu at the Landesanstalt für Rebenzüchtung in Alzey. Originally, this new variety was based on the crossing partners Riesling and Silvaner. However, this has since been disproved by DNA analysis. In 2012, the Bukettrebe (Silvaner x Trollinger) could be clearly identified as the second parent variety, alongside the Riesling. In 1936, this vine was named “Dr.-Wagner-Rebe” after a Nazi peasant leader. After the war, it was unnamed “Sämling 88” (short form S 88). It was not until 1956 that the vine was named after its breeder Georg Scheu.
Vinification
The color of the wines is pale yellow, straw yellow or golden yellow, depending on the type and aging of the wines. Kabinet wines and Spätlese wines manage to achieve a harmonious combination through their fine fruity sweetness paired with the stimulating acidity.
Pleasure
The aroma of these wines is characterized by blackcurrants (cassis), occasionally tangerines, limes, peaches, mango, but very ripe pears. A noble sweet Scheurebe impresses the wine drinker with a great peach aroma or rose scent. The Kabinett wines and also Spätlese wines are ideal with spicy ragouts of fish and poultry or with Asian cuisine. The noble sweet varieties harmonize with fruity desserts or with cheese.
As of 03.01.2023, German Wine Institute 2022, white grape varieties, Scheurebe; https://www.deutscheweine.de/wissen/rebsorten/weisse-rebsorten/scheurebe/
Scheurebe white grape varieties Rheinhessen 2023 https://www.rheinhessen.de/scheurebe
Scheurebe Wikipedia 2023 https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheurebe
Chamber of Agriculture Rhineland-Palatinate, EU vineyard register, status 2022
