The Kerner
Grape
A white grape variety created in Germany, Kerner is a cross between Riesling and Trollinger. It produces aromatic wines with high acidity, showcasing flavors of citrus fruits, peaches, and floral notes. Kerner can be made into both dry and sweet styles, displaying a Riesling-like elegance with a fuller body.
Kerner
Grape History
The Kerner grape is a relatively young variety, created in the mid-20th century in Germany through a crossing of Trollinger (also known as Schiava Grossa) and Riesling grape varieties. It was developed in 1929 by August Herold and named after poet and physician Justinus Kerner. The resulting grape was intended to be a white grape that could thrive in the cooler climates of Germany, while also providing excellent flavor and acidity.
Kerner grapes are known for their aromatic qualities, often producing wines with floral and fruity notes such as peach, apricot, and citrus. The grape's natural acidity lends itself well to sparkling wines, and it is often used in blends to add complexity and balance.
Kerner is primarily grown in Germany, particularly in the regions of Pfalz, Baden, and Württemberg. It has also gained popularity in Italy, Austria, and Switzerland. In recent years, there has been some experimentation with Kerner plantings in other cool-climate regions around the world, such as New Zealand and Canada.
Kerner is most commonly used to produce varietal wines, but it is also utilized in blends such as Auslese, Spätlese, and Trockenbeerenauslese. In addition, it is often used in sparkling wines due to its high acidity and aromatic profile.
The future of the Kerner grape variety looks promising as it continues to gain recognition for its quality and versatility. Climate change is also playing a role in expanding the regions where Kerner can be successfully grown, opening up new possibilities for this grape variety.
In conclusion, the Kerner grape has a fascinating history as a relatively new variety with strong aromatic qualities and vibrant acidity, making it a versatile grape for wine production. Its popularity is expected to continue to grow as winemakers experiment with different styles and regions, showcasing the potential of this unique grape variety.
Introduction
Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!
I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....
After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.
Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.
Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.
As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.
Cheers! - Franklin Laurel