Hibernal

Hibernal is a white hybrid grape developed at Geisenheim in Germany, with Riesling among its parents. It was bred as part of work on useful vineyard resistance and winter hardiness, and has found a role in central and eastern European wine growing. The family connection does not make it simply another name for Riesling.

Its wines can combine noticeable fruit and aroma with a fresh, fairly substantial structure. As with other modern crosses, the breeding purpose describes the vine rather than settling every question about the finished bottle. Disease resistance is also relative: it should not be taken as proof that a vineyard needed no treatment or that the wine meets any particular certification.

Choose a clearly described dry Hibernal for fish, poultry or gently spiced dishes when an aromatic white with some body is welcome. Check sweetness before relying on the grape's perfume to choose food. If comparing it with Riesling, focus on how the individual wines differ in aroma and texture rather than expecting the shared parentage to produce identical glasses.