Müller Thurgau is a white grape variety with German roots. It was bred in 1882 and has since become known under several names, including Rivaner and Riesling-Sylvaner as well as the spelling variant Mueller-Thurgau. The variety is a crossing of German origin, and it has found its home above all in Germany, which stands as its heartland and natural starting point.
From Germany, Müller Thurgau has spread to other cool wine regions. Today it is also grown in England and New Zealand, where the cooler climates suit the grape's character well. Part of its success owes to practical qualities in the vineyard. Müller Thurgau ripens earlier than Riesling and gives higher yields, which makes it an obvious choice for producers in regions where the season is short.
In the glass, Müller Thurgau gives white wines with a floral aroma and a fruity character. The style ranges from dry to off-dry, and the wines are typically light and approachable rather than complex. Compared to Riesling, the grape has lower acidity and less complexity, and that is precisely why it often comes across as more straightforward and easy to get along with. It is a wine that does not demand much of you, but is in return easy to deal with.
Müller Thurgau is widely used for everyday wine, and that is part of its charm. Here you get a white wine that invites uncomplicated moments rather than reverent analysis. The floral aroma and soft fruit make it a calm, friendly choice when the occasion calls for something relaxed. If you are fond of the fresh, light white wines of cool climates and would like to meet one of German viticulture's more widespread names, Müller Thurgau is a good place to begin.