Bacchus

Bacchus most likely comes from Germany: VIVC records Germany as its country of origin and lists it under the prime name Bacchus Weiss, with white (blanc) berry skin. Its pedigree is (Silvaner x Riesling) x Müller-Thurgau, so one parent is a Silvaner x Riesling crossing and the other is Müller-Thurgau. The passport gives the same pedigree as stated by the breeder and as confirmed by DNA markers, and marks the pedigree as full. It also flags offspring, but WineWiki's VIVC-derived lineage data links no children for Bacchus and lists Ortega and Reichensteiner as its half-siblings.

• VIVC prime name: Bacchus Weiss; VIVC variety number 851; country of origin: Germany
• Berry skin colour: white (blanc)
• Parents: a Silvaner x Riesling crossing and Müller-Thurgau, pedigree confirmed by DNA markers
• Offspring: flagged in the VIVC passport; none linked in WineWiki's lineage data
• Half-siblings in WineWiki's VIVC-derived lineage data: Ortega, Reichensteiner

Bacchus was bred in the 1930s at the federal grapevine breeding research institute in Siebeldingen, Germany. Its breeder was Peter Morio, of the Geilweilerhof grapevine breeding institute. The grape is a cross of (Silvaner x Riesling) x Müller-Thurgau, and it was not allowed in commercially available wines until the 1970s. Its name honours Bacchus, the Roman god of wine.

• Bred in the 1930s in Siebeldingen, Germany
• Breeder: Peter Morio, Geilweilerhof
• Cross of (Silvaner x Riesling) x Müller-Thurgau
• Not allowed in commercially available wines until the 1970s
• Named for the Roman god of wine

Bacchus boomed in Germany in the 1970s and 1980s and peaked in 1985 at 3.6% of the German vineyard area; plantings there have fallen sharply since the early 1990s. Deutsches Weininstitut figures put German plantings at about 1,539 hectares in 2023, 1.6% of the German vineyard area, found mainly in Franken, Rheinhessen, Nahe and Pfalz. The grape has also found a home in the young English wine industry. In WineGB's 2023 figures, Bacchus is one of the five varieties, with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Seyval Blanc, that still form the majority of new plantings.

• Germany: about 1,539 hectares in 2023 (Deutsches Weininstitut), mainly Franken, Rheinhessen, Nahe and Pfalz
• German plantings peaked in 1985 at 3.6% of the vineyard area and have fallen sharply since the early 1990s
• UK: one of the five varieties making up most new plantings, in WineGB's 2023 figures

Bacchus is an early-ripening variety that reaches high ripeness levels, and it can give high yields with comparatively high must weights. It prefers fresh, nutrient-rich soils. In Germany it has generally been known for high sugar potential and low acidity, while in England the cooler climate can lift its acidity.

• Early-ripening, with high ripeness levels
• Can give high yields with comparatively high must weights
• Prefers fresh, nutrient-rich soils
• England's cooler climate can lift acidity; in Germany it is known for high sugar potential and low acidity

Bacchus is an aromatic variety whose floral muscat tone recalls Scheurebe. Its aromas recall blackcurrant and orange, sometimes with notes of muscat and caraway. Most German Bacchus wines are pale yellow and light to medium-bodied, and examples with high must weights and enough acidity can show something of Riesling's character. In England it offers a fresh, aromatic character with elderflower, hedgerow fragrance and some lime citrus zestiness, and English producers make it as both still and sparkling wine. In Decanter's words, it "has been touted as the country's answer to Sauvignon Blanc". In a blend, Bacchus can bring grape sugars but little else.

• Floral muscat tone that recalls Scheurebe; aromas of blackcurrant and orange, sometimes muscat and caraway
• Most German examples light to medium-bodied
• English examples: elderflower, hedgerow fragrance and lime citrus
• Made in England as both still and sparkling wine

At the 2017 Decanter World Wine Awards, Winbirri Vineyards' Bacchus 2015 won the Platinum Best in Show medal for best value white wine made from a single grape variety. Winbirri Vineyards is near Surlingham in Norfolk, in East Anglia. Only 34 Platinum Best in Show medals were awarded at DWWA 2017, out of more than 17,200 entries.

• Winbirri Vineyards Bacchus 2015 won Platinum Best in Show at the 2017 Decanter World Wine Awards
• Award category: best value white wine made from a single grape variety
• One of 34 Platinum Best in Show medals from more than 17,200 entries
• Winbirri Vineyards is near Surlingham in Norfolk, England

Primary sources: https://www.vivc.de/index.php?r=passport%2Fview&id=851 ; https://www.deutscheweine.de/rebsorte/116/bacchus ; https://winegb.co.uk/2024/07/03/uk-vineyards-surpass-1000-milestone-mark-and-sales-continue-to-buck-the-wider-wine-market-trend/ ; https://shop.three-choirs-vineyards.co.uk/product/bacchus/ Reference sources: https://www.decanter.com/wine-news/english-wine-decanter-world-wine-awards-2017-369381/ ; https://www.decanter.com/learn/bacchus-wine-how-it-tastes-369423/ ; https://www.jancisrobinson.com/learn/grape-varieties/white/bacchus Last verified 2026-10-20