Kerner (grape)
Encyclopedia
The Kerner grape is an aromatic white grape
variety. It was bred in 1929 by August Herold
by crossing Trollinger
(a red variety also known as Schiava grossa or Vernatsch) and Riesling
. Herold was working at a plant breeding station in Lauffen
in the Württemberg
region of Germany
. This station belonged to a state breeding institute headquartered in Weinsberg
. It received varietal protection and was released for general cultivation in 1969.
Kerner has been named in honour of a poet and physician from Swabia
, Justinus Kerner
, whose works included songs and poetry on wine.
In 2006 Kerner was the 8th most planted variety in Germany
with 4004 hectares (9,894.1 acre) and 3.9% of the total vineyard surface. The trend since the mid-1990s is that German plantations of Kerner decrease, just as the case for all other "new breeds" of white varieties, such as Müller-Thurgau
and Bacchus. German plantations of Kerner reached their highest point around 1990, with around 8000 hectares (19,768.4 acre) and 7.5% of the total German vineyard surface. For a while around 1995 it was in fact the third most planted variety in Germany after Riesling and Müller-Thurgau.
Kerner is most commonly planted in the German regions of Palatinate
, Rheinhessen
, Mosel, and Württemberg
, but it is also grown in Austria
(Styria), Switzerland
and the Italian
province of South Tyrol
. It was introduced into South Tyrol in the early 1970s and awarded Denominazione di origine controllata
(DOC) status in 1993.
Kerner buds late and so the shoots mature well and show a considerable resistance to cold winters, it can survive at temperature of – 10°C.
Compared to Riesling, Kerner can be grown in less favourable conditions and has bigger yields. The ripening is in early October.
This vine grows on all types of soil, in general is grown on slopes and on sunny slopes it can be grown up to altitudes of 800-900 metres.
This hybrid isn’t sensitive downy mildew, powdery mildew and botrytis, but in bad weather conditions these diseases can cause some problems. There aren’t pests problems because in these cold conditions they can't develop.
of Kerner. Three varieties have been created by crossing Kerner with other varieties: Juwel
and Silcher are both Kerner x Silvaner (but not identical, since each seed plant acquires a different combination of genetic material from its parents) and Roter Milan is Kerner x Pinot Noir
.
Grape
A grape is a non-climacteric fruit, specifically a berry, that grows on the perennial and deciduous woody vines of the genus Vitis. Grapes can be eaten raw or they can be used for making jam, juice, jelly, vinegar, wine, grape seed extracts, raisins, molasses and grape seed oil. Grapes are also...
variety. It was bred in 1929 by August Herold
August Herold
August Karl Herold born August 7, 1902 in Neckarsulm, died there January 8, 1973, was a German grape breeder.Herold graduated from the Agricultural College Hohenheim in 1925, worked at a grape breeding station in Naumburg 1926-1928 and in 1928 became the head of a grape breeding station in...
by crossing Trollinger
Trollinger
Trollinger is a light-red, late-maturing wine grape variety that was originally cultivated in the wine regions of South Tyrol and Trentino.It probably reached the southern regions of Germany during Roman times...
(a red variety also known as Schiava grossa or Vernatsch) and Riesling
Riesling
Riesling is a white grape variety which originated in the Rhine region of Germany. Riesling is an aromatic grape variety displaying flowery, almost perfumed, aromas as well as high acidity. It is used to make dry, semi-sweet, sweet and sparkling white wines. Riesling wines are usually varietally...
. Herold was working at a plant breeding station in Lauffen
Lauffen
Lauffen am Neckar is a town in the district of Heilbronn, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is situated on the river Neckar, 9 km southwest of Heilbronn...
in the Württemberg
Württemberg
Württemberg , formerly known as Wirtemberg or Wurtemberg, is an area and a former state in southwestern Germany, including parts of the regions Swabia and Franconia....
region of Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. This station belonged to a state breeding institute headquartered in Weinsberg
Weinsberg
Weinsberg is a town in the north of the German state Baden-Württemberg. It was founded ca. 1200 and is situated in the Heilbronn district. The town has about 11,800 inhabitants. It is noted for its wine...
. It received varietal protection and was released for general cultivation in 1969.
Kerner has been named in honour of a poet and physician from Swabia
Swabia
Swabia is a cultural, historic and linguistic region in southwestern Germany.-Geography:Like many cultural regions of Europe, Swabia's borders are not clearly defined...
, Justinus Kerner
Justinus Kerner
Justinus Andreas Christian Kerner was a German poet and medical writer.-Life:He was born at Ludwigsburg in Württemberg...
, whose works included songs and poetry on wine.
In 2006 Kerner was the 8th most planted variety in Germany
German wine
German wine is primarily produced in the west of Germany, along the river Rhine and its tributaries, with the oldest plantations going back to the Roman era. Approximately 60 percent of the German wine production is situated in the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate, where 6 of the 13 regions ...
with 4004 hectares (9,894.1 acre) and 3.9% of the total vineyard surface. The trend since the mid-1990s is that German plantations of Kerner decrease, just as the case for all other "new breeds" of white varieties, such as Müller-Thurgau
Müller-Thurgau
Müller-Thurgau is a variety of white grape which was created by Hermann Müller from the Swiss Canton of Thurgau in 1882. It is a crossing of Riesling with Madeleine Royale. It is used to make white wine in Germany, Austria, Northern Italy, Hungary, England, in Australia, Czech Republic, Slovakia,...
and Bacchus. German plantations of Kerner reached their highest point around 1990, with around 8000 hectares (19,768.4 acre) and 7.5% of the total German vineyard surface. For a while around 1995 it was in fact the third most planted variety in Germany after Riesling and Müller-Thurgau.
Kerner is most commonly planted in the German regions of Palatinate
Palatinate (wine region)
Palatinate is a German wine-growing region in the area of Bad Dürkheim, Neustadt an der Weinstraße, and Landau in Rhineland-Palatinate. Before 1993, it was known as Rhine Palatinate . With under cultivation in 2008, the region is the second largest wine region in Germany after Rheinhessen...
, Rheinhessen
Rheinhessen
Rhenish Hesse refers to the part of the former Grand Duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt located west of the Rhine river and now part of Rhineland-Palatinate. It is a hilly countryside largely devoted to vineyards, therefore it is also called the "land of the thousand hills." Its larger towns include:...
, Mosel, and Württemberg
Württemberg (wine region)
Württemberg is a region for quality wine in Germany, and is located in the historical region of Württemberg in southwestern Germany, which today forms part of the federal state of Baden-Württemberg. Under German wine legislation, Württemberg and Baden are separate wine regions.With under vine in...
, but it is also grown in Austria
Austrian wine
Austrian wines are mostly dry white wines with some luscious dessert wines made around the Neusiedler See. About 30% of the wines are red, made from Blaufränkisch , Pinot Noir and locally bred varieties such as Zweigelt...
(Styria), Switzerland
Swiss wine
Swiss wine is produced from nearly 15 000 hectares of vineyards, and the wines are mainly produced in the west and in the south of Switzerland, in the cantons of Geneva, Neuchâtel, Ticino, Valais and Vaud...
and the Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
province of South Tyrol
South Tyrol
South Tyrol , also known by its Italian name Alto Adige, is an autonomous province in northern Italy. It is one of the two autonomous provinces that make up the autonomous region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. The province has an area of and a total population of more than 500,000 inhabitants...
. It was introduced into South Tyrol in the early 1970s and awarded Denominazione di origine controllata
Denominazione di Origine Controllata
Denominazione di origine controllata is a quality assurance label for food products, especially wines and various formaggi . It is modelled after the French AOC...
(DOC) status in 1993.
Vigour
Kerner has a good vigour and generally it is grown on a medium vigorous rootstock like SO4.Grape
The grape is medium sized and quite compact.Kerner buds late and so the shoots mature well and show a considerable resistance to cold winters, it can survive at temperature of – 10°C.
Compared to Riesling, Kerner can be grown in less favourable conditions and has bigger yields. The ripening is in early October.
This vine grows on all types of soil, in general is grown on slopes and on sunny slopes it can be grown up to altitudes of 800-900 metres.
This hybrid isn’t sensitive downy mildew, powdery mildew and botrytis, but in bad weather conditions these diseases can cause some problems. There aren’t pests problems because in these cold conditions they can't develop.
Aromas
Pronounced varietal bouquet, often with a Muscat tone; fresh aromas offer a tasty blend of mixed white fruits, with hints of apple, grapefruit and a tropical whiff of mango.Taste
Resembling Riesling, Kerner wines are fresh, racy and fruity, but yet milder in acidity and showing more body.Synonyms
Kerner is known under the following synonyms: Herold Triumpf, Herold Weiss, Schiava Grossa x Riesling Renano WE 25/30, Trollinger x Riesling Renano WE S 25/30, WE S 2530, Weinsberg S 25-30, Weißer Herold.Offspring
The variety Kernling is a mutationMutation
In molecular biology and genetics, mutations are changes in a genomic sequence: the DNA sequence of a cell's genome or the DNA or RNA sequence of a virus. They can be defined as sudden and spontaneous changes in the cell. Mutations are caused by radiation, viruses, transposons and mutagenic...
of Kerner. Three varieties have been created by crossing Kerner with other varieties: Juwel
Juwel (grape)
Juwel is a white German wine grape variety that was produced in the mid-20th century as a crossing between Kerner and Silvaner. By the end of the 20th century, only around 30 hectares of the grapes were still in production, mostly found in the Rheinhessen....
and Silcher are both Kerner x Silvaner (but not identical, since each seed plant acquires a different combination of genetic material from its parents) and Roter Milan is Kerner x Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir
Pinot noir is a black wine grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera. The name may also refer to wines created predominantly from Pinot noir grapes...
.