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| History of Müller Thurgau | ||
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The grape was originally bred by Dr. Hermann Müller of the
Swiss canton (state) of Thurgau. He presented the grape, then
known simply as "cross #58" to colleagues at Geisenheim University
in Germany in 1882. The grape was posthumously named after him.
Although Dr. Müller's notes indicated it was a cross between
Riesling and Silvaner, DNA testing in 1994 determined that
Riesling was indeed one of the parent plants, but that the other
parent was not Silvaner, and in fact, was not recognized at all.[1]
Further DNA research establishes the other parent as Chasselas de
Courtillier.[2]
At this time (2007), this is the most widely planted grape in Germany and has been for decades.[3] Unfortunately, it has been maligned by wine cognescenti, as it was used to produce vast quantities of lesser quality wines in the 1970's under the guise of Liebfraumilch.[4,5] (Example: "Appellation America, Varietal Character, Muller Thurgau".) The grape was brought in to the Puget Sound AVA in the late 1970's by Gerard Bentryn of Bainbridge Island Vineyard and Winery. Gerard worked with Dr. Norton from W.S.U. Agricultural Research Station who in turn had brought the plants in from a nursery in British Columbia, Canada. Gerard planted a handful of vines at his original winery near the ferry dock in the town of Winslow on Bainbridge Island, and planted an additional approx. 3 acres at the Suyematsu Farm on Day Road.[6] My understanding is that the Müller Thugau in Oregon state, USA came from this same material brought in by Dr. Norton.
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