Photo by VIVC - Vitis International Variety Catalogue
Description
Hárslevelű, 'linden leaf', is a Hungarian white grape first recorded in the mid-1700s. It is related to Furmint, its probable parent, and is the second grape of Tokaj, where it adds a floral, spicy perfume to dry wines and to Aszú. It is also important at Debrő in the Mátra hills, in Eger and in Villány. The bunches are long and loose, and the thin-skinned, juicy berries shrivel well on sunny, dry slopes.
Characteristics
White wine grape; late ripening (October); very long, loose bunches; medium round berries; thin skin; juicy flesh; floral, spicy aromas; vigorous with a sparse canopy; even, generous cropping; sensitive to drought, winter frost and rot
Growing Tips
Hárslevelű grows strongly but with a fairly open canopy, and it crops evenly and generously. Being late-ripening, it needs a warm, sunny, dry site to ripen well. It is sensitive to winter frost and drought and its thin-skinned berries can rot, so avoid frost pockets and wet spots, and protect young vines in hard winters.