Kerner

Kerner is a fresh, aromatic white grape from Germany, producing wines that range from dry to slightly sweet. Expect peach, apricot and green apple with citrus, floral notes and a mineral edge. Crisp and fragrant, it’s brilliant with seafood, roast chicken, spicy Asian food, sushi, salads and creamy cheeses.

Taste:

Fresh, fruity and not exactly shy on the aromatics.

Kerner is typically light to medium-bodied with lively acidity and can range from dry to off-dry depending on the producer. Expect peach, apricot, green apple and citrus, often joined by floral aromas and a fresh mineral character.

Some styles can bring slightly richer tropical-fruit flavours, while off-dry versions balance a touch of sweetness with plenty of acidity.

If Riesling is already your thing, Kerner might feel pleasantly familiar – just with its own peachier, slightly more aromatic personality.

Consider it the lesser-known friend who turns out to be great company.

Food Pairings:

Kerner’s combination of acidity, fruit and potential sweetness makes it particularly versatile with food.

For seafood, try prawns, crab, grilled fish, sea bass, cod, mussels or sushi. Its freshness works particularly well with lighter seafood dishes and citrus-based sauces.

It’s also a great match for roast chicken, grilled chicken and pork, particularly when herbs or lighter sauces are involved.

Off-dry Kerner is brilliant with spicy food. Try Thai green curry, Thai red curry, chicken curry, spicy noodles, stir-fry or other Asian dishes with chilli, ginger and aromatic spices.

For lighter meals, pair it with salads, grilled vegetables or goat’s cheese.

Brie, Camembert and other creamy soft cheeses work nicely too, particularly with slightly richer styles.

Similar Wines:

If you enjoy Kerner, Riesling is the obvious next stop. It shares Kerner’s fresh acidity, aromatic fruit and ability to produce everything from bone-dry to sweet wines.

Gewürztraminer turns the aromatics up considerably with lychee, rose and spice, while Müller-Thurgau offers another fresh, approachable German white.

Scheurebe is also worth exploring if aromatic German grape varieties are becoming your new niche obsession.

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More About Kerner:

Kerner is a German grape variety created in 1929 by crossing Trollinger – a red grape – with Riesling.

It was developed by grape breeder August Herold in Württemberg and was named after Justinus Kerner, a German poet and physician who also happened to write songs and poetry about wine.

Kerner inherited much of Riesling’s acidity and aromatic character but can ripen more reliably in some cooler vineyard sites.

It became particularly popular in Germany during the second half of the 20th century and is still grown there today, alongside smaller plantings elsewhere in Europe.

Red-grape parent. White wine. Named after a wine-loving poet.

Kerner came with backstory built in.