Variety
WhiteMüller-Thurgau
Also known as: Rivaner
Bred by Hermann Müller in 1882, for decades Germany's most planted grape – mild, floral, lightly muscat-spiced. Light and dry as Rivaner.
Portrait
Müller-Thurgau, also called Rivaner, was bred in 1882 by Hermann Müller from the Thurgau in Geisenheim. For a long time the variety was thought to be a cross of Riesling and Silvaner; DNA analysis later showed the parents to be Madeleine Royale and Gouais Blanc. It was Germany's most planted variety for decades.
The vine buds early, ripens early and gives high yields; it is susceptible to botrytis and mildew. It grows on many soils, especially Muschelkalk. The wines are mild, with low acidity, a muscat tone and peach aromas, and are drunk young. With yield reduction they gain substance.
Müller-Thurgau goes with asparagus, light dishes, salads and regional cooking.
Taste profile
Six axes — acidity, sweetness, body, tannin, aroma intensity and depth — on a 0–5 scale, based on typical style. Real wines vary by region and producer.
Typical aromas — Müller-Thurgau
These 5 aromas typically define Müller-Thurgau. Actual taste experience varies by region and style.
Nutmeg
Elderflower
Apple
Pear
Peach
Müller-Thurgau aroma families
These aroma categories are characteristic of Müller-Thurgau. Other varieties have different focuses.
Fruit aromas are the most common and come directly from the grape, ranging from citrus through stone fruit to black berries.
Floral aromas are especially marked in aromatic varieties like Riesling and Gewürztraminer.
Spicy aromas often emerge from oak aging (vanilla, clove) or with maturity (black pepper).
Key regions
Müller-Thurgau is grown in the following regions of our atlas. Click to see wineries.
Wineries with Müller-Thurgau
422 curated profiles in our atlas grow Müller-Thurgau.
422 wineries
Weingut Horst Sauer
Franken · Volkacher Mainschleife · Volkach
Silvaner, Riesling, Müller-Thurgau
Fürstlich Castell'sches Domänenamt
Franken · Steigerwald (Iphofen–Castell) · Castell
Silvaner, Müller-Thurgau, Riesling
Weingut Rainer Sauer
Franken · Volkacher Mainschleife · Escherndorf
Silvaner, Riesling, Müller-Thurgau
Winzerhof Stahl
Franken · Würzburg & Maindreieck · Auernhofen
Silvaner, Müller-Thurgau, Riesling
Weingut Bernhard Huber
Baden · Breisgau · Malterdingen
Spätburgunder, Chardonnay, Weißburgunder
Thüringer Weingut Bad Sulza GmbH
Saale-Unstrut · Thüringen (Bad Sulza) · Bad Sulza OT Sonnendorf
Müller-Thurgau, Weißburgunder, Riesling
Staatlicher Hofkeller Würzburg
Franken · Würzburg & Maindreieck · Würzburg
Silvaner, Riesling, Müller-Thurgau
Weingut Haus Steinbach
Sachsen · Radebeul (Lößnitz) · Radebeul
Riesling, Müller-Thurgau, Weißburgunder
Winzervereinigung Freyburg-Unstrut
Saale-Unstrut · Freyburg & Naumburg · Freyburg (Unstrut)
Müller-Thurgau, Weißburgunder, Riesling