Scheurebe

Dr. Georg Scheu (1879-1949) created this variety in 1916 at a grape-breeding institute in Alzey, Rheinhessen. Originally designated Sämling 88 (seedling number 88), it was renamed Scheurebe in 1945 to honor its creator, and released for general cultivation across Germany in 1956. It gained early popularity in the 1950s for sweet wine production and became one of Germany's most successful 20th-century grape crossings.

• Originally named Sämling 88 after its breeding number; renamed Scheurebe in 1945
• Released for general cultivation in Germany in 1956
• Gained popularity through the 1950s as a sweet wine variety
• One of Germany's most successful grape crossings of the 20th century

For decades Scheurebe was believed to be a Silvaner x Riesling cross, the same parentage initially claimed for several German crossings of that era. DNA analysis conducted in the late 1990s and confirmed in 2012 overturned this assumption, establishing the true parentage as Riesling x Bukettraube. This makes Scheurebe a sibling rather than a cousin to the Riesling-Silvaner crossings it was long grouped with.

• True parentage: Riesling x Bukettraube, confirmed by DNA analysis in the late 1990s and 2012
• Previously and incorrectly believed to be a Riesling x Silvaner cross
• Alternate names include Sämling 88, Alzey S., Dr. Wagner-Rebe, and Scheu

Scheurebe is a vigorous variety with high tolerance for dry, barren soils and performs well on loess and calcareous ground. It requires warm, sheltered vineyard sites to achieve full ripeness, which is non-negotiable: under-ripe fruit produces aggressive, unpleasant acidity that renders the wine unappealing. It is resistant to winter frosts and ripens in early October, slightly ahead of Riesling. Quality sites are essential rather than optional for this grape.

• Ripens in early October, slightly before Riesling
• Requires warm, sheltered sites for full ripeness; good vineyard positions are essential
• Tolerates dry, barren soils; performs well on loess and calcareous soils
• Vigorous growth and strong resistance to winter frosts

Fully ripe Scheurebe is defined by its bold blackcurrant and grapefruit character, often complemented by tropical fruits, stone fruits, lemon, and honeysuckle. The wines are full-bodied with pronounced acidity. Dry styles range from Spätlese trocken through to Auslese trocken, while sweet styles span Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese, Strohwein, and Schilfwein. Aged sweet wines develop blood grape, honey, peach, and rose aromas. Austria's Burgenland and Styria specialize in the noble sweet styles.

• Primary aromas: blackcurrant, grapefruit, tropical fruits, stone fruits, lemon, and honeysuckle
• Aged sweet wines show blood grape, honey, peach, and rose fragrance
• Full-bodied with pronounced acidity across all styles
• Capable of producing quality dry wines alongside exceptional late-harvest and botrytized styles

Germany accounts for 1,499 hectares of Scheurebe as of 2023, with Rheinhessen holding the largest share at 743 hectares (49% of the total). The Pfalz follows with 328 hectares, then Franconia at 208 hectares and the Nahe at 101 hectares. Austria holds approximately 300 hectares, concentrated in Burgenland and Styria. Plantings in Germany peaked at 4.4% of all vineyards in 1985 and have declined to 1.4%, though quality-focused producers in the Pfalz and Rheinhessen continue to champion the variety.

• Germany: 1,499 ha total; Rheinhessen 743 ha, Pfalz 328 ha, Franconia 208 ha, Nahe 101 ha
• Austria: approximately 300 ha, primarily in Burgenland and Styria
• German plantings peaked at 4.4% of vineyards in 1985; currently 1.4%
• Notable producers include Müller-Catoir, Pfeffingen, Alois Kracher, and Koehler-Ruprecht