Kerner

White variety - Kerner

• General: The crossbreeding parents Trollinger and Riesling indicate the Swabian origin of the variety. In 1929, August Herold launched the Kerner at the Staatliche Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt Weinsberg. Initially known as "Weißer Herold", the variety was later dedicated to the Weinsberg poet, doctor and wine lover Justinus Kerner. The variety is important, albeit with a declining trend, in Rheinhessen and the Palatinate, and to a lesser, but qualitatively positive extent, in its homeland, around Heilbronn. In order to counteract the negative image of the variety, the Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt Weinsberg created a supra-regional special line "Julius K.", which is linked to special conditions in viticulture and vinification.
• Cluster: The grapes are medium to large. The thick-skinned berries show a yellow-green colour that can change to brown-yellow when fully ripe.
• Wine: As ripe grapes, Kerner plays in the direction of discreet, finely fruity Riesling aromas with appealing acidity. When fully ripe, the wines show nutty and also musky aromas in good years.
• Cultivation: Fog-free high altitudes are well suited for growing Kerner. Due to its high sensitivity to powdery mildew (oidium), Kerner is only recommended for well-drying, wind-ventilated sites. Depending on the vintage weather, stem rot may occur. Kerner is a medium to strong grower with a tendency to strong stunted shoot formation and thus compaction in the grape zone. To counteract this, further vine spacing and defoliation measures in the grape zone are recommended.