Few grape varieties have changed the conversation around cool-climate winemaking quite like Solaris. Created in Germany in the 1970s, it has since found a second life in northern Europe and Canada, proving that serious wines can be made in regions once considered too cold or too damp for viticulture.

German beginnings

Solaris was bred in 1975 at the Freiburg Wine Institute, part of an ongoing effort to produce grapes that could withstand northern European conditions. Its lineage is complex – Merzling crossed with a Seyve-Villard hybrid, and a Riesling × Pinot Gris line. The intended result was a grape that ripens early, resists mildew, and still carries the aromatic character winegrowers and drinkers look for. The name, meaning “of the sun,” nods to its ability to ripen quickly and dependably.

What growers value

For a grower, Solaris solves a big problem. It reaches maturity weeks ahead of many vinifera varieties, often by the end of August. In climates where autumn comes fast and frost can destroy a harvest, that reliability is a major advantage. Its resistance to fungal diseases further reduces risk and lowers the need for heavy spraying, which is why it has become popular among organic and low-intervention producers.

What drinkers taste

The wines themselves are surprisingly expressive. Solaris shows tropical fruit, such as pineapple, mango, sometimes passionfruit. In cooler years, the profile shifts toward green apple and lime, bringing it closer to Sauvignon Blanc. Its natural sugars can be high, which gives winemakers the flexibility of creating dry wines with weight and ripeness, late-harvest and icewine styles, or even sparkling wines with crisp fruit.

Where it grows now

Though German by origin, Solaris has been adopted with enthusiasm further north. Sweden and Denmark both produce award-winning examples, using it to define a new style of Scandinavian white wine. In the UK, Solaris joins Bacchus and Pinot Noir Précoce as part of the country’s expanding still-wine portfolio. Canada, particularly Ontario, has also embraced it, where its combination of ripeness and acidity works well for both dry and sweet expressions.

Looking ahead

Solaris is not just a technical solution for challenging climates; it’s also a marker of where wine is heading. As producers search for varieties that need fewer chemical treatments and that can cope with shifting weather patterns, grapes like Solaris offer an alternative to the traditional canon. Consumers, meanwhile, are discovering distinct wines from new places, expanding the definition of what fine wine regions look like.

Image Credit: https://wikipedia.org/

_ _ _

© CHURRASCO PHUKET STEAKHOUSE / ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Reprinting, reposting & sharing allowed, in exchange for a backlink and credits

Churrasco Phuket Steakhouse serves affordable Wagyu and Black Angus steaks and burgers. We are open daily from 12noon to 11pm at Jungceylon Shopping Center in Patong / Phuket.

We are family-friendly and offer free parking and Wi-Fi for guests. See our menus, reserve your table, find our location, and check all guest reviews here:

https://ChurrascoPhuket.com/

#Churrascophuket #jungceylon #phuketsteakhouse #affordablewagyu #wagyu