Photo by VIVC - Vitis International Variety Catalogue
Description
Szürkebarát, 'grey monk', is the Hungarian name for Pinot Gris, the grey-berried mutation of Pinot Noir from Burgundy. In Hungary it is grown above all in Badacsony, the Mátra and the Balaton Uplands. It is a fairly vigorous but not very productive vine. The bunches are small and tight, and the berries are greyish pink to coppery. The wine has high sugar potential, low to moderate acidity, a deep yellow colour and a rich, full texture.
Characteristics
Grey-pink (pinkish-grey) berried white wine grape; early ripening (mid to late September in Hungary); small, cylindrical, very compact bunches; small berries; high sugar, low to moderate acidity; full-bodied, aromatic wine; fairly vigorous but modest yields; good winter hardiness; good fruiting after spring frost; somewhat sensitive to grey rot and downy mildew
Growing Tips
Szürkebarát copes with cold winters well and still crops after a spring frost, which makes it a good choice for cooler gardens. Its very compact bunches are somewhat prone to grey rot and downy mildew, so open the canopy around the fruit. It prefers well-drained, sunny, rather dry sites. Yields are modest, but the grapes reach high sugar.