Huxelrebe

Huxelrebe was created in 1927 by Dr. Georg Scheu at the State Institute in Alzey, Rheinhessen. The crossing combines Gutedel (known internationally as Chasselas) with Courtillier Musqué, also called Muscat Précoce de Saumur. The variety was initially known under the breeding code Alzey S 3962 and was granted official varietal protection in 1969. Its name honors Fritz Huxel (1892-1972), a nurseryman and viticulturist based in Westhofen, Rheinhessen, who championed and extensively cultivated the grape during the 1950s. The suffix 'rebe' simply means vine in German.

• Bred by Dr. Georg Scheu in 1927 at Alzey, Rheinhessen
• Parents: Gutedel (Chasselas) x Courtillier Musqué (Muscat Précoce de Saumur)
• Originally coded Alzey S 3962; received varietal protection in 1969
• Named for Fritz Huxel (1892-1972), nurseryman and early champion of the variety

Huxelrebe is primarily cultivated in the German regions of Rheinhessen, the Palatinate (Pfalz), and the Nahe. Germany recorded 396 hectares (980 acres) of plantings in 2019. The variety's early ripening character and tolerance for cool conditions have also made it a practical choice in England and Wales, where small but notable plantings exist. Cultivation has followed a declining trend since peak plantings in the mid-twentieth century, though interest in alternative expressions of the grape continues.

• Main German regions: Rheinhessen, Pfalz, and Nahe
• 396 hectares planted in Germany as of 2019
• Small plantings found in England and Wales
• Cultivation has declined from mid-20th century peak levels

Huxelrebe is a very high-yielding variety that ripens early, even in difficult vintage years. This early ripening makes it well suited to cool northern climates where later-ripening varieties may struggle to achieve full maturity. The grape is susceptible to Botrytis infection, a characteristic that producers can exploit for the production of noble rot sweet wines. Huxelrebe is resistant to both types of powdery mildew (Oidium and Peronospora) but shows sensitivity to frost, requiring careful site selection in colder regions.

• Very high-yielding and early ripening, even in poor vintage years
• Susceptible to Botrytis, enabling sweet wine and Auslese-level production
• Resistant to both types of powdery mildew
• Frost-sensitive, requiring careful site selection

The style of Huxelrebe wine depends heavily on yield control and ripeness level. When yields are kept in check, the variety can reach Auslese ripeness even in lesser vintages, producing rich dessert wines. Young wines show high acidity with distinctive notes of rhubarb, while fully ripened examples develop Muscat-like aromatics. Ripe Huxelrebe wines are known for tropical and stone fruit characters including passion fruit, mango, apricot, and orange peel, along with honey. When vinified at lower yields for aperitif-style wines, the grape delivers bright, aromatic freshness.

• Young wines: high acidity with rhubarb character
• Fully ripe wines: Muscat-like aromatics, passion fruit, mango, apricot, orange peel, honey
• Capable of reaching Auslese ripeness in lesser vintages with controlled yields
• Styles range from crisp aperitif wines to luscious Botrytis dessert wines