Scheurebe

A white wine grape variety

Scheurebe is a white wine grape variety primarily grown in Germany and Austria. It is known for its aromatic qualities and is often used to produce both dry and sweet wines.

Scheurebe grapes on the vine

History

Scheurebe was created in 1916 by Georg Scheu, a German viticulturist, at the Alzey research institute in Rheinhessen. It was initially believed to be a cross between Silvaner and Riesling, but later DNA profiling revealed that its parentage is actually Riesling and an unknown wild vine.

Viticulture

Scheurebe is a relatively hardy grape variety that thrives in warm climates. It is particularly well-suited to the Rheinhessen, Pfalz, and Franken regions of Germany. The grape is known for its ability to retain acidity, which makes it versatile for producing a range of wine styles.

Wine Characteristics

Scheurebe wines are noted for their aromatic profile, often exhibiting notes of blackcurrant, grapefruit, and tropical fruit. The wines can range from dry to sweet, with the sweeter styles often showing honeyed and floral characteristics. The high acidity of Scheurebe makes it a good candidate for noble rot-affected wines, similar to Riesling.

Wine Regions

While Scheurebe is predominantly grown in Germany, it is also cultivated in smaller quantities in Austria, where it is known as Sämling 88. In Austria, it is primarily used to produce sweet wines in regions such as Burgenland.

Food Pairing

Scheurebe wines, particularly the sweeter styles, pair well with spicy dishes, such as Thai cuisine, and can also complement rich desserts. The dry versions are suitable for pairing with seafood and light poultry dishes.

Related Pages

• Riesling
• Silvaner
• German wine
• Austrian wine