The Austrian specialty grape variety Frühroter Veltliner has nothing in common with the famous Grüner Veltliner variety, although the name might lead you to think so. Rather, it belongs to the Veltliner family, which also includes the Roter Veltliner, the Zierfandler and the Neuburger, and was created from a natural crossing of the Roter Veltliner with the Silvaner. As the name suggests, the Frühroter Veltliner sprouts early and ripens quite early. It is vigorous and requires careful pruning. It is threatened by real and downy mildew and also by putrefactive diseases such as sour rot. In its home country of Austria, it is preferably grown in the thermal region, the Wagram and the Weinviertel, although the vineyard area is declining. With over 400 hectares, these regions still have the largest vineyard area, followed by Slovakia with 360 hectares and the Czech Republic with 250 hectares. In France, Frühroter Veltliner is a permitted grape variety in Savoie, but only covers around five hectares there. The Frühroter Veltliner also occupies a few hectares in northern Italy and Germany.
This grape variety is also known by the name of:
Frühroter Malvasier, Frühroter Veltliner/Malvasier, Malvasier, Rote Babotraube., Roter Malvasier, Frühroter Veltliner
