Donauriesling

Donauriesling belongs to the so-called PIWI varieties (from the German “pilzwiderstandsfähige Rebsorten”), which is an abbreviation for a group of grape varieties resistant to fungal diseases, especially grapevine blight and downy mildew. The variety was bred by Ferdinand Regner, an Austrian scientist and teacher of viticulture and viticulture and head of the department of vine breeding at the Federal University and the Federal Office of Viticulture and Fruit Growing in Klosterneuburg. The Donauriesling is a cross of Riesling × Fr 589-54 (Seyve Villard 12-481 × Freiburg 153- 39 (Pinot Gris × Crisp White (Weißer Gutedel)). Breeding took place between 1978 and 1993, and it was entered into the varietal book in 2013. The variety requires a good position, where even with medium yields it produces grapes for very good quality wines. Donauriesling has very good resistance to winter frosts, as well as to Peronospora, Oidium and Botrytis cinerea. The firm skin of the berries ensures their high resistance to cracking after autumn rains. Donauriesling also tolerates drought very well. The distinctively small berries are a high extract carrier. Donauriesling provides fruity wines with aromas and flavours of apricot, peach, yellow melon, citrus and lime blossom with fresh acidity.