Welschriesling
Encyclopedia
Welschriesling is an ancient variety of white wine grape, unrelated to the Rhine Riesling
, that is grown throughout Central Europe
. The origin of Welschriesling is uncertain. The German name "Welschriesling" literally means 'Romanic Riesling', and most of the synonyms in Central Europe are variations on 'Italian Riesling'. Welschriesling may have come to Central Europe via the Romans. The Croatian name Graševina suggests that the origin might be somewhere to the east of the Balkans
.
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...
, that is grown throughout Central Europe
Central Europe
Central Europe or alternatively Middle Europe is a region of the European continent lying between the variously defined areas of Eastern and Western Europe...
. The origin of Welschriesling is uncertain. The German name "Welschriesling" literally means 'Romanic Riesling', and most of the synonyms in Central Europe are variations on 'Italian Riesling'. Welschriesling may have come to Central Europe via the Romans. The Croatian name Graševina suggests that the origin might be somewhere to the east of the Balkans
Balkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
.
Wine regions
- In AustriaAustrian wineAustrian 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...
, the main regions where it is grown are south and south eastern Styria, Burgenland, and Weinviertel where it is made into sparkling wineSparkling wineSparkling wine is a wine with significant levels of carbon dioxide in it making it fizzy. The carbon dioxide may result from natural fermentation, either in a bottle, as with the méthode champenoise, in a large tank designed to withstand the pressures involved , or as a result of carbon dioxide...
. Near Lake Neusiedl, in RustRustRust is a general term for a series of iron oxides. In colloquial usage, the term is applied to red oxides, formed by the reaction of iron and oxygen in the presence of water or air moisture...
(Ruszt) it is used to make BotrytisNoble rotNoble rot is the benevolent form of a grey fungus, Botrytis cinerea, affecting wine grapes. Infestation by Botrytis requires moist conditions, and if the weather stays wet, the malevolent form, "grey rot", can destroy crops of grapes...
dessert wineDessert wineDessert wines are sweet wines typically served with dessert.There is no simple definition of a dessert wine. In the UK, a dessert wine is considered to be any sweet wine drunk with a meal, as opposed to the white fortified wines drunk before the meal, and the red fortified wines drunk after it...
s. - In Croatia, Graševina is the most planted white grape variety. It is grown in all the inland wine regions, particularly in KutjevoKutjevoKutjevo is a town in Slavonia, Croatia, located northeast of Požega. In the census of 2011, there were 6,168 people, 2,399 in the town itself. In the census of 2001, 96% of the population declared themselves Croats....
municipality and around IlokIlokIlok is the easternmost town and municipality in Croatia. Located in the Syrmia region, it lies on a hill overlooking the Danube river, which forms the border with the Vojvodina region of Serbia. The population of the town of Ilok is 5,036, while the total municipality population is 6,750...
, both in the far east of the country. - In the Czech Republic, Ryzlink vlašský is grown in the South Moravian RegionSouth Moravian RegionSouth Moravian Region is an administrative unit of the Czech Republic, located in the south-western part of its historical region of Moravia, with exception of Jobova Lhota, that belongs to Bohemia. Its capital is Brno the 2nd largest city of the Czech Republic. The region is famous for its wine...
, particularly in vinařská podoblast (wine subregion) MikulovskáMikulovská wineMikulovská is one of four Czech wine regions within southern Moravia, Czech Republic. The Mikulovská wine region, containing 30 wine villages, is famed for producing white wines grown in the limestone soils, particularly in and around the area of the Pálava Landscape Protected Area...
and vinařská podoblast Velkopavlovická. - In Hungary, Olaszrizling is the most widespread grape variety of the country.
- In Italy, it is known as Riesling Italico when grown in the northern regions such as Trentino, Collio and Friuli.
- In Romania, it is called Riesling Italian where it makes a late harvest and sparkling wine.
- In Slovakia it is grown in the ModraModraModra is a city and municipality in the Bratislava Region in Slovakia. It has a population of 8,704 as of 2005. It nestles in the foothills of the Malé Karpaty and is an excellent centre of hiking.Modra is famous for its pottery industry...
and Nitra wine regions. - In Slovenia, Welschriesling is known as laški rizling ("Italian Riesling") as opposed to renski rizling ("Rhine Riesling", i.e. Riesling proper). It is grown in the Styria region in eastern Slovenia, producing dry to medium-dry wines.