The red grape variety probably originates from Germany. Synonyms are Blauer Affenthaler, Kleiner Trollinger, Morillon Aigret, Pineau Aigret, Säuerlicher Burgunder and Schwarzblauer Affenthaler. It must not be confused with the well-known red wine Affentaler (without the "h") from the Baden growing region, which confusingly is pressed in the geographically same area from the Pinot Noir (Blauburgunder) variety. According to DNA analyses carried out in 2018, the variety arose from a presumably natural cross between Gouais Blanc (White Heunisch) x Süßschwarz. However, this is based on only 20 DNA markers (see Molecular genetics). In other DNA analyses, the father variety could not be determined.
The origin is in the area of the village Affental southwest of Baden-Baden. The variety was first mentioned in 1791 by the ampelographer Johann Michael Sommer (1743-1803). It was traditionally cultivated in Württemberg on the lower and middle Neckar as well as in the Enz and Rems valleys together with the Trollinger (Schiava), which is probably the origin of the synonym Kleiner Trollinger. After the Second World War, cultivation was abandoned and the variety was considered lost except for a few virus-infected vines. In 2004, two old healthy vines were rediscovered in Kaisersbach and Steinheim. The late-ripening vine is resistant to frost and yields fine-acid red wines. The variety is cultivated by the Affentaler WG. In 2016, however, no stock was reported (Kym Anderson).
Pictures: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
