| Rotberger | |
|---|---|
| Grape (Vitis) | |
 Rotberger cluster in the field | |
| Species | Vitis vinifera |
| Also called | Geisenheim 3-37, Redberger |
| Origin | Germany |
| Original pedigree | Schiava Grossa × Riesling |
| Notable regions | Baden, Württemberg, Ahr |
| Breeder | Heinrich Birk |
| Breeding institute | Forschungsanstalt Geisenheim, Fachgebiet Rebenzüchtung und Rebenveredlung |
| Year of crossing | 1928 |
| VIVC number | 10230 |
Rotberger is a wine grape variety. Its parentage is not known with certainty but it is thought to be from a cross of Trollinger and Riesling grapes.[1] Dr. Heinrich Birk (1898-1973) produced the cross at the Geisenheim Grape Breeding Institute in 1928. It is used to produce fruity, early maturing light red wines in cool-climate areas. It is often best drunk when young and can be used to produce a rosé or sparkling wine. It has no relationship with the Rotburger variety bearing a nearly similar name which is also known as Zweigelt.
Production of rotberger is quite small and primarily limited to Austria, Canada, Germany, and Liechtenstein.
