Kerner is a white grape created by crossing Trollinger and Riesling. It inherits some of the elegance of Riesling, but has a profile entirely its own, and it is worth getting to know without needing much prior knowledge. In short, it is an approachable grape if you fancy exploring a white wine a little beyond the familiar.
The grape is known for its high natural sugar content combined with good acidity. It is a balance that gives the wines a pleasant freshness, where the sweetness and acidity play off each other rather than pulling in separate directions. The aroma, on the other hand, is quite light and discreet, so Kerner is rarely a loud wine. It belongs instead among the understated white wines that can be enjoyed without much fanfare.
It is precisely this combination of sugar, acidity and a restrained aroma that makes Kerner a versatile companion at the table. The fresh acidity gives the wine backbone, while the natural sugar can contribute a light body, and it is a style that suits many light dishes and a cosy everyday dinner.
At Copenhagen Wine we go for quality and provenance rather than glancing at the price tag, and we value direct relationships with the producers we work with. When you look at Kerner, it can be a good idea to let yourself be guided by the grape's fundamental qualities, namely the good acidity, the natural sugar and the light aroma, rather than by expectations of a particular flavour profile. That way you get the most out of meeting a grape that may not take up the most space in the media, but that has a charm all its own.