Müller-Thurgau

Müller-Thurgau photos, charts, maps, and wines.

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Muller-Thurgau (aka. Rivaner, M-T, Riesling-Sylvaner)

Most New World growers do not yearn for early-ripening varieties like Muller-Thurgau. In fact, they would find the flab in its wine to be a distinct disadvantage. However, read more...some Oregon growers have experimented successfully with this white grape, and fine examples have been produced in the Puget Sound vineyards of western Washington State. The variety thrives all over central and Eastern Europe.

The crossing was developed in 1882 by Dr. Hermann Muller, born in the Swiss canton of Thurgau, but then working at the German viticultural station at Geisenheim. It is widely believed that Dr. Muller's intention for this cross was to combine the organoleptic quality of the great Riesling grape with the viticultural reliability -- particularly the early ripening -- of the less noble Silvaner. Yet, recent DNA testing suggests that the variety is actually the result of a Riesling x Chasselas de Courtillier cross, not Riesling and Silvaner. Whatever the ingredients, the recipe resulted in a variety that is all too short on Riesling characteristics. Indeed, it is much shorter on elegant raciness than the more recent crossings Ehrenfelser, Kerner and well-ripened Scheurebe. Muller-Thurgau, which could fairly be said to have been the bane of German wine production, is at long last on the wane. The vine certainly ripens early, even earlier than Silvaner. Unlike Riesling, it can be grown anywhere, producing prodigious quantities -- sometimes double Riesling’s common yield range -- of extremely dull, flabby wine.

You are the abused progeny of a scientist’s good intentions, the product of Dr. Muller’s laboratory union of Riesling and Chasselas. Despite the pedigree of this arranged marriage, you were not the brightest of your generation. But in a generation more concerned with making money than the intellectual pursuits of your parents, you would flourish. Your financers backed you wholeheartedly and secured your position as the leader of a German wine machine that would dominate the world with mass production. But alas, your flabby body and dilute character would ultimately lead to your downfall, as the people’s desire grew for a leader with a sharper personality.    (hide)

dmcker wrote in the forum topic: Swiss wine- I know nothing!

November 2009

dmcker

Vineyards in Switzerland are mostly quite small, even compared to Burgundy, and usually on south-facing hillsides. I suppose this makes it hard for anyone to gather together the production and marketing muscle to push...

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happyrobot reviewed Racines Metisses" Laurent Barth 2007:

October 2009

happyrobot

Rich. A bit spicy. This blend of Pinot Blanc, Sylvaner, Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Muscat is a great food wine. I am excited to drink more.

Racines Metisses" Laurent Barth 2007

Starting at $13^.99 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

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ginnacide reviewed Peter Brum Spatlese Reinhessen 2007:

October 2009

ginnacide

Peter Brum Spatlese Reinhessen 2007

Starting at $9^.19 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

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Quentin4 reviewed Kofererhof Muller-Thurgau 2006:

September 2009

Quentin4

Fresh and quite intense on the nose, it has a nice perfumed bouquet. On the palate the wine is well balanced with subtle acidity and a lovely round and aromatic style. Flavours of peach, white flowers and citrus, it is a...

Kofererhof Muller-Thurgau 2006

Starting at $17^.59 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

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dmcker wrote in the forum topic: Wine tasting gala.. What cheese do I use?

September 2009

dmcker

Which part of the pig? Plenty of hoof, tail and skin, and what the Japanese ... that? I'm thinking a nasty muller thurgau..

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ecistrunk reviewed Sokol Blosser Evolution 12th Edition:

August 2009

ecistrunk

Sokol Blosser Evolution 12th Edition

Starting at $15^.99 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

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vonniep reviewed Peter Brum Liebfraumilch 2007:

July 2009

vonniep

Peter Brum Liebfraumilch 2007

Starting at $7^.39 Snoothrank: 3/5

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giddycharm reviewed Sokol Blosser Evolution 12th Edition:

July 2009

giddycharm

Sokol Blosser Evolution 12th Edition

Starting at $15^.99 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

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luckygirlbrace reviewed Sokol Blosser Evolution 12th Edition:

July 2009

luckygirlbrace

nice crisp white. great summer wine.

Sokol Blosser Evolution 12th Edition

Starting at $15^.99 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

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TerenceF reviewed Airlie 7 2006:

July 2009

TerenceF

Nose: Grapefruit, slight petrol, citrus fruits and lemongrass Notes: Tropical fruit, Dole pineapple juice, spiced rum notes initially. Acid on the mid-palate, but more sweet than dry. Finish redolent of yellow freezer pop...

Airlie 7 2006

Starting at $11^.99 Snoothrank: 3/5

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