Along with Räuschling and Silvaner, Elbling is considered one of the oldest grape varieties in Germany. It is not entirely clear where the name comes from: can it be derived from the Latin “alba”, which is also a synonym for the Elbe river, or from the Latin “helvus”, which would be translated as “yellow”? Curiously, the variety was first mentioned in Switzerland at the end of the 13th century under the name “Hofrodel”. The Elbling only first appeared in documents in 1483 under the name “Aelbinen” in Germany. This would suggest that the Elbling possibly came to Germany via the Alps with the Romans in the 4th century. The Elbling ripens relatively early with good yields, but is unfortunately just as susceptible to powdery mildew and downy mildew as it is to sour rot, and it is also sensitive to drought stress. His wine is relatively neutral, but spicy and racy and characterized by striking acidity. This makes it particularly interesting for the production of sparkling wines. After many years of decline, Elbling can be found again mainly on the Upper Moselle and in Luxembourg, especially where Riesling would have problems with full ripeness. There are also some Elbling vineyards in Switzerland.
This grape variety is also known by the name of:
Weisselben, Aelbinen, Albe, Alben, Albich, Albana, Albig, Albuelin, Albuelis, Argentin, Bielovcka, Biela Zrebnina, Bielovacka, Allemand, Allemand Blanc, Allemand Facun, Bielowaczkai, Alsacien, Alva, Burgyre, Blesec, Blesez, Burgeger, Burgauer, Burgegger, Burger Blanc, Burger Elbling, Dickelbling, Elber, Elben Weisse, Elbinger, Dickweiss, Elmene, Elsaesser, Burgundertraube Gruen, Elbai Feher, Elbe, Elbele, Facun, Geschlachter Burger, Facun Blanc, Farantbily, Faucun, Fauler Elsasser, Elben, Elben Feher, Elben Weiss, Frankenthal Blanc, Klemplich, Klember, Klemmer, Elbling Blanc, Gemeine Traube, Elbner, Knoller, Facan, Facum, Gonais Blanc, Kurzstieler, Kurzstingel, Grausilber, Grobe Aus Oesterreich, Grobburger, Grossburger, Isodora Brachybus, Kurzstingl, Kurzstingler, Kratkopeccelj, Klaemmer, Kratkopecelj, Herblink, Grunsilber, Hartalbe, Kristaller, Kristeller, Naesslinger, Heunisch Gruen, Luttenbershna, Haussard, Le Gros, Kleinburger, Kleinbeere, Grossriesler, Grossriesling, Marmont Vert, Marmot, Pecek, Plant Commun, Pezhech, Pezhek, Rauhelbene, Sauer- Grobes, Grosselbele, Raifrench, Raisin Blanc Des Allemands, Rheinelbe, Nuernberger Zaeh, Nuesslinger, Reinfransch, Raesslinger, Weisser Elbling, Silvaner Weiss, Silberweiss, Srebonina, Srebrnina Bijela, Welsche, Welschel, Rheinalben, Weiselber, Weisselbling, Tarant De Boheme, Spizelbe, Seretonina, Schuldenzahler, Weissalbe, Suessgrober, Vert Doux, Suessgrobes, Sussgrober, Vodenjak, Weisser Dickelbling, Weisser Elben, Weisalben, Ysele
