Schönberger is another German cross that has become more popular in England. The cross was created in 1939 using Pinot Noir and Pirovano (a cross of Chessalas and Muscat of Hamburg). Just like with Ortega and Bacchus, Schönberger was mostly planted in the Rheinhessen region of Germany. In England, where it is more widely planted, it can be found in many growing areas, such as Hamphire, Surrey, Sussex and Kent. The cool climates of southern England lead to high levels of acidity with grapey aromas similar to Muscat. The grapes are pink skinned and ripen early. Schönberger can be used to produce single varietal still or sparkling wines. If used for sparkling wines, they are commonly made using the traditional method.
While I was tasting at Biddenden, I tried a 2024 Schönberger. This wine was a very pale pink color with moderate intensity aromas of peach o’s candy, honeysuckle, elderflower, lychee, and grape. The grapes for this wine were left on the vine to concentrate their sugars. This resulted in a sweet wine. The acidity level was lower as a result of the prolonged hang time but enough acid remained to help balance the sugars. This wine was fuller in body and had a low alcohol content. The fruity and floral notes linger on the long finish. This wine would pair well with strawberry shortcake, spicy curry dishes, or a cheese plate with brie and blue cheeses. This was a refreshing sweet wine that wouldn’t be too heavy on a warm summer day.
-TheLooseTannin
A Trip Around the World of Wine in 52 Weeks 