White grape varieties in front again – Stuttgart Journal

For two decades, red grape varieties predominated in viticulture in the southwest

As the State Statistical Office determined on the basis of evaluations of the joint wine-growing register 2022, white grape varieties slightly outweigh the cultivation spectrum in Baden-Württemberg for the first time in twenty years. Nevertheless, Pinot Noir remains the most widely cultivated grape variety in the country.

By Dirk Meyer (pm)

The range of grapes has changed significantly overall: in previous years, white grape varieties always dominated viticulture in the Ländle. In 2002, for the first time, 51.5% or 14,072 hectares (ha) were planted with red grape varieties and only 48.5% (13,263 ha) with white grape varieties.

The cultivation of red grape varieties then reached its peak in 2007 with an area of ​​15,322 ha or 55.9%. In 2022, the area covered by white grape varieties will again predominate for the first time; these are planted on 13,613 ha (50.2%), red grape varieties on 13,496 ha or 49.8%.

If you look at the growing regions of Baden and Württemberg separately, it can be seen that white grape varieties have always dominated cultivation in Baden and red grape varieties in Württemberg.

However, since 2008, the cultivation of red grape varieties has been declining in both growing regions and the cultivation of white grape varieties has been steadily increasing.

The red wine grape variety Pinot Noir continues to hold the top position with 5,979 ha. The white grape varieties Riesling (3,050 ha), Ruländer (Pinot Gris; 2,673 ha) and Müller-Thurgau (2,506 ha) are in second to fourth place. , followed by Trollinger (1,931 ha), Weißer Burgunder (1,887 ha), Lemberger (1,844 ha), Schwarzriesling (1,403 ha) and Gutedel with 1,037 ha. Within two decades, the acreage of Ruländer and Weissem grew Burgundy by 69.7% and 67.8% respectively and by the red wine variety Lemberger by 40.7%. However, the other six most popular grape varieties have all lost ground.

White grape varieties, which were previously hardly cultivated in the country, are also showing a positive development: the Chardonnay grape variety, for example, whose acreage has more than tripled over the past 20 years, with a acreage of 503 ha (2002: 140 ha) in tenth place. A similarly strong development can be seen with the Muskateller grape variety, which ranks 15th with 250 ha (2002: 54 ha). The Sauvignon blanc – which is in 12th place with 309 ha (2002: 17 ha) – and Souvignier gris, which practically jumped to 24th place with 101 ha, have also increased significantly.