Scheurebe

Quick Facts

Berry Color: Green-yellow
Skin Thickness: Medium
Ripening: Mid-season
Vigor: Moderate
Yield: Moderate
Created: 1916 (Georg Scheu)
Parentage: Riesling × unknown (once thought Silvaner)
Character: Intensely aromatic; blackcurrant; Riesling-like structure

Overview

Scheurebe is one of Germany’s finest grape crossings, created in 1916 by Georg Scheu at the Alzey research station. Originally thought to be a Riesling × Silvaner cross, DNA analysis revealed the second parent was likely an unidentified wild vine. Scheurebe produces intensely aromatic wines with a distinctive blackcurrant character unique among white grapes, combined with Riesling-like structure and aging potential. From simple everyday wines to profound sweet Auslese and Trockenbeerenauslese, Scheurebe demonstrates remarkable quality potential. For enologists, Scheurebe represents successful German crossing programs and aromatic white wine production.

Etymology and History

Name Origin

Scheurebe: Named after creator Georg Scheu

Alternative: Sämling 88 (Seedling 88)

Creation

Year: 1916

Breeder: Georg Scheu

Location: Alzey, Rheinhessen

Original Theory: Riesling × Silvaner

DNA Reality: Riesling × unknown

Development

1916: Cross made
1956: Officially registered
Peak: 1970s plantings
Modern: Stable niche; quality focus

Viticulture

Vine Characteristics

Growth Habit: Moderate vigor

Leaf Shape: Medium

Cluster: Medium; compact

Berry: Medium; round

Growing Requirements

Climate: Cool; German conditions

Soil Preference: Various; adaptable

Training: Standard German methods

Challenge: Requires good sites for quality

Phenological Stages

Stage	Timing
Bud break	Mid-April
Flowering	Early June
Véraison	Early August
Harvest	October (mid-late)

Site Requirement

Quality: Needs good exposition

Ripeness: Full maturity essential

Effect: Transforms character

Wine Profile

Appearance

Color: Pale to medium gold
Intensity: Medium
Evolution: Can age beautifully

Aromatic Profile

Primary Aromas:

Blackcurrant (signature—unique among whites)
Grapefruit
Tropical (passion fruit, mango)
Floral
Spice

Prädikat Wines:

Honey
Dried fruit
Botrytis complexity

Palate Characteristics

Structure:

Medium to full body
Good acidity (Riesling heritage)
Rich yet structured
Aromatic persistence

Texture: Full; aromatic; complex

Finish: Long; aromatic persistence

Wine Styles

Dry (Trocken)

Character: Aromatic; structured

Quality: Best dry versions excellent

Challenge: Needs ripeness

Kabinett/Spätlese

Character: Off-dry; aromatic

Balance: Sugar-acid interplay

Quality: Excellent examples

Auslese/BA/TBA

Character: Sweet; concentrated

Quality: World-class potential

Botrytis: Excellent affinity

Comparison: Rivals finest sweet wines

Regional Expressions

Pfalz

Status: Quality heartland

Style: Riper; more tropical

Quality: Excellent

Rheinhessen

Status: Origin region; significant

Style: Varied

Austria

Presence: Limited but quality

Style: Structured; fresh

Winemaking Considerations

Fermentation

Temperature: Cool (preserve aromatics)

Duration: Standard to extended

Goal: Aromatic preservation

Sweet Wine Production

Botrytis: Excellent receptivity

Prädikat: All levels produced

Quality: Among finest German sweet wines

Aging

Potential: Excellent (like Riesling)

Development: Complex evolution

Timeline: 5-30+ years (top examples)

Food Pairing

Dry/Off-Dry

Matches:

Asian cuisine
Spicy dishes
Rich seafood
Foie gras (off-dry)

Sweet Styles

Matches:

Desserts
Blue cheese
Meditation wine

Key Producers

Germany

Müller-Catoir: Benchmark quality

Various Pfalz estates: Quality producers

Rheinhessen estates: Quality examples

Market Position

Production Statistics

Germany: ~1,500 hectares

Trend: Stable; quality niche

Pricing

Level	Price (€)
Entry	€8-14
Quality Trocken	€14-25
Spätlese	€18-35
Auslese+	€35-150+

Market Position

Recognition: Among connoisseurs

Challenge: Pronunciation; unfamiliarity

Strength: Unique character; quality

The Blackcurrant Mystery

Unique Character

Compound: Specific aroma chemistry

Uniqueness: Virtually no other white shows this

Identity: Variety marker

Expression

Intensity: Can be pronounced

Appeal: Distinctive; memorable

Quality Sign: Clear in best examples

Comparison with German Whites

Variety	Aromatics	Aging	Character
Scheurebe	Intense (blackcurrant)	Excellent	Complex
Riesling	Intense (floral)	Excellent	Mineral
Gewürztraminer	Intense (spice)	Moderate	Rich

Conclusion

Scheurebe stands as one of Germany’s most successful crossing achievements—a variety that combines Riesling’s structure and aging potential with a unique aromatic profile dominated by blackcurrant notes found in no other white grape. For enologists, Scheurebe demonstrates that crossing programs can create genuinely new and valuable varieties when quality is the goal. From aromatic dry wines to profound Trockenbeerenauslese, Scheurebe offers remarkable quality across the sweetness spectrum. As interest in aromatic wines grows, Scheurebe deserves wider recognition for its distinctive character and quality potential.

References

Robinson, J., Harding, J., & Vouillamoz, J. (2012). “Wine Grapes.” Ecco/HarperCollins. Publisher Link
Deutsches Weininstitut. Documentation.
VIVC Database. Variety Information.

Last updated: January 13, 2026