Rotberger | |
Species: | Vitis vinifera |
Also Called: | Geisenheim 3-37, Redberger |
Origin: | Germany |
Pedigree0: | Schiava Grossa × Riesling |
Breeder: | Heinrich Birk |
Institute: | Forschungsanstalt Geisenheim, Fachgebiet Rebenzüchtung und Rebenveredlung |
Crossing Year: | 1928 |
Regions: | Baden, Württemberg, Ahr |
Rotberger is a wine grape variety. Its parentage is not known with certainty but it is thought to be from a cross of Trollinger and Riesling grapes.[1] Dr. Heinrich Birk (1898-1973) produced the cross at the Geisenheim Grape Breeding Institute in 1928. It is used to produce fruity, early maturing light red wines in cool-climate areas. It is often best drunk when young and can be used to produce a rosé or sparkling wine. It has no relationship with the Rotburger variety bearing a nearly similar name which is also known as Zweigelt.
Production of rotberger is quite small and primarily limited to Austria, Canada, Germany, and Liechtenstein.