Photo by VIVC - Vitis International Variety Catalogue
Description
Silvaner (also spelled Sylvaner) is an old white wine grape from the Alpine region: DNA studies show it is a cross of Traminer and the Austrian variety Österreichisch Weiss. It has been grown in Germany for more than 350 years, first recorded at Castell near Würzburg in 1659, and today it is the flagship grape of Franken and an important variety in Rheinhessen. Its wines are usually light with mild acidity and a delicate scent of herbs, gooseberry or fresh hay.
Characteristics
White wine grape; mild acidity; light, fragrant wines with herbal and gooseberry notes; strongly reflects soil and site
Growing Tips
Silvaner is known for expressing its site, and in Franken it gives its most distinctive wines on shell limestone and Keuper soils. On heavier soils it makes fuller, richer wines with ripe pear notes, so even a modest garden soil can give an interesting result. German growers use careful quality measures in the vineyard, such as limiting the crop, to get its more elegant styles.