Müller-Thurgau

Müller-Thurgau is a light, aromatic white grape best known from Germany, producing fresh wines that range from dry to slightly sweet. Expect green apple, pear and peach with citrus and delicate floral notes. Soft, easy-drinking and refreshing, it’s brilliant with grilled fish, prawns, roast chicken, salads, sushi and light Asian dishes.

Taste:

Light, fruity and very easy to get on with.

Müller-Thurgau is typically light-bodied with gentle to moderate acidity, and can range from dry to off-dry depending on the producer. Expect green apple, pear, peach and citrus, often joined by white flowers and a subtle herbal or musky edge.

Compared with Riesling, it generally has softer acidity and a rounder, more straightforward fruit character, making it particularly approachable when young.

Most Müller-Thurgau is made to be fresh rather than serious, complicated or destined for decades in a cellar.

Sometimes wine just wants to be opened. Revolutionary.

Food Pairings:

Müller-Thurgau’s lighter body makes it a great match for fresh, delicate dishes.

For seafood, try prawns, grilled fish, sea bass, cod, crab or mussels. Sushi and sashimi work beautifully too, particularly with drier styles.

It’s also a good match for roast chicken, grilled chicken and lighter pork dishes.

For salads, try chicken salad, goat’s cheese salad, Greek salad or fresh green salads with herbs.

Off-dry Müller-Thurgau can work particularly well with lightly spicy Asian food, including chicken stir-fry, vegetable stir-fry, sushi, aromatic noodles and dishes featuring ginger or mild chilli.

For meat-free meals, try grilled vegetables, asparagus, vegetable tarts or lighter pasta dishes.

On the cheese board, goat’s cheese, Brie and other mild, creamy cheeses are good matches.

Similar Wines:

If you enjoy Müller-Thurgau, Riesling is an obvious next move for more acidity, aromatics and complexity in styles ranging from completely dry to intensely sweet.

Kerner brings peachier fruit and a little more aromatic intensity, while Pinot Blanc offers another gentle, fresh white with apple and pear flavours.

Silvaner is also worth exploring if crisp, understated German whites are becoming your thing.

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More About Müller-Thurgau:

Müller-Thurgau was created in 1882 by Swiss botanist Hermann Müller, who came from the canton of Thurgau – hence the name.

For years, it was believed to be a crossing of Riesling and Silvaner. DNA testing eventually spoiled that story and showed that its parents are Riesling and a grape called Madeleine Royale.

The variety became hugely popular in Germany during the 20th century because it ripens relatively early and can produce reliable yields in cooler conditions. You’ll also find it in Austria, northern Italy, Switzerland and several other European wine regions.

So Müller-Thurgau isn't part Silvaner after all.

More than a century of mistaken parentage cleared up by one DNA test. Daytime television could never.