Siegerrebe (literally "Victory vine" in German) is a white wine grape that is grown primarily in Germany with some plantings in England,^[1] Washington State,^[2] and British Columbia's North Okanagan^[3]. Siegerrebe was created by German viticulturalist Dr. Georg Scheu (1879-1949) in 1929 at a grape-breeding institute in Alzey in Rheinhessen, by crossing Madeleine Angevine and Gewürztraminer.^[4][5] However, Georg Scheu's son Heinz Scheu has claimed in a book that Siegerrebe was the result of self-pollination of Madeleine Angevine.^[5] Siegerrebe received varietal protection and was released for general cultivation in Germany in 1958.^[5]

In 2006, there were 110 hectares (270 acres) of Siegerrebe in Germany with a decreasing trend, in similarity with other "new breeds" of white varieties.^[6]

Viticultural characteristics [link]

The vine is suited to colder climates as bud-burst is late and fruit ripening is very early however due to these traits bird depredation is serious and attack by wasps can be a problem. The vines are fruitful and vigor is low with grape bunches being large, red in colour and loosely packed. It has a susceptibility to chlorosis.^[7] Killing temperature of Siegerrebe is −14.4 °F (−25.8 °C).^[8]

Siegerrebe easily reaches high must weights and is noted as the record holder for highest must weight recorded in Germany. During the 1971 harvest in the Rheinpfalz, a parcel of Trockenbeerenauslese Siegerrebe recorded 326 Oechsle, which is more than twice the minimum level of ripeness needed for a wine to qualify as Trockenbeerenauslese.^[1]

Siegerrebe wines [link]

Despite high must weights the wine tends to be very low in acid. The finished wine has an intense aroma reminiscent of muscat and tends to be used in blending than a varietal wine, however the flavour is reminiscent of Gewürztraminer.^[9] Many Siegerrebe wines are high in extract and yellow-green to golden yellow in colour. Because Siegerebe ripens early, it is sometimes used for Federweisser early in the German harvest season.

Synonyms [link]

Siegerrebe is also known under the synonyms Alzey 7957, AZ 7957, Scheu 7957 and Sieger.^[4]

References [link]

1. ^ ^{a b} Jancis Robinson Vines, Grapes & Wine pg 253 Octopus Publishing 1986 ISBN 978-1-85732-999-5
2. ^ R. Irvine & Walter Clore The Wine Project pg 436 Sketch Publications 1997 ISBN 0-9650834-9-7
3. ^ Recline Ridge Vineyards & Winery
4. ^ ^{a b} Vitis International Variety Catalogue: Siegerrebe, accessed on May 16, 2008
5. ^ ^{a b c} Wein-Plus Glossar: Siegerrebe, accessed on May 16, 2008
6. ^ German Wine Institute: German Wine Statistics 2007-2008
7. ^ Winegrowers.info: Siegerrebe
8. ^ Cornell: NY Vitis vinifera variety studies: Siegerrebe
9. ^ Cornell Viticulture: Other White Wine Varieties Tested