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Müller-Thurgau grape

White grape

Müller-Thurgau is a white grape known for pear, floral, peach. Its best-known homes are Germany.

StyleWhite
Body●●○○○ (2/5)
FlavoursPear, floral, peach
Key regionsGermany

Origin and history

Bred in 1882 at Geisenheim by Hermann Müller, a Swiss from Thurgau; DNA proved it Riesling × Madeleine Royale, not Riesling × Silvaner.

Where it grows

Germany (Rheinhessen, Pfalz, Baden, Franken), Alto Adige, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Hungary, England and New Zealand.

Structure

Light to medium body, low to moderate acidity; usually dry to off-dry and unoaked.

Aromas, young and aged

Young: pear, peach, white flowers and a slightly musky, grapey note. Rarely made to age.

Ageing

Best drunk young, within 1–3 years; a few high-altitude Alto Adige examples hold for around 5 years.

Also known as

Rivaner, Riesling-Sylvaner.

Good to know

It was once Germany's most planted grape and the backbone of mass-market Liebfraumilch; Riesling has since overtaken it.

Similar white grapes

Sauvignon BlancRieslingAlbariñoVerdejoViuraPalominoLoureiroArinto

Explore all grapes in the interactive guide

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