Phoenix
A German Traveller that has Fallen in Love with the Cool English Climate
Phoenix is wine white grape variety developed in the German research centre at Geilweilerhof in the mid 1960s.
It’s a crossing of Villard Blanc and Bacchus, the latter being another prized cool climate white grape variety grown across Germany, England and Wales.
Phoenix’s bunches are very disease resistant, which helps massively in damper, cooler climate regions, but also means that the need for agrochemical treatments are much reduced.
Because one of its parents isn’t a Vitis Vinifera grape variety, Phoenix isn’t in the branch of the vine family tree which can be made into “quality wine” in the EU. However, because it produces wines with such genuine profile, the EU legislator has allowed Phoenix as one of the very few hybrid varieties that can be used for quality wine.
Flavour
Can produce wines with attractive nose of elderflower, sage and tarragon.
Style Range
Phoenix is nearly always used to make dry white table wine, whether blending or varietal.
Structure
Phoenix produces relatively big grapes, so you get quite a big juice to skin ratio. That means you get lighter flavours, plenty of citrus acidity, and usually (due to the cooler climates where it’s grown) a lower alcohol wine.
Food Pairings
The herbaceousness and floral notes to Phoenix make it a perfect aperitif wine in the summertime with seafood, white meat and green vegetable canapés.
Growing Regions
ENGLAND & WALES
English and Welsh grape growers are always on the search for grapes that will ripen in a reliable manner year on year. Phoenix is therefore well received. In the cooler climates like Monmouthshire, Shropshire, Essex, and even Yorkshire, Phoenix is starting to produce some really lovely and refreshing wines.
GERMANY
Phoenix is grown in its homeland of Germany, but only in very small quantities, and over half of it in Rheinhessen.
If you love Phoenix you should also explore….
Bacchus
Another floral, refreshing, and light wine grown across England, Wales and Germany.
Sauvignon Blanc
Phoenix can be very reminiscent of the herbal and lime zest aroma of an expressive Sauvignon.