In Detail
Solaris is a white grape variety created in 1975 at the Staatliches Weinbauinstitut Freiburg in Germany. Bred for disease resistance and early ripening, it's a hybrid of Merzling and Gm 6493 (Seyve-Villard 5-276 x Müller-Thurgau). Solaris thrives in cool climates, making it popular in northern Europe, particularly where consistent ripening is difficult. The vine exhibits good fungal resistance and yields well with minimal intervention. Solaris wines typically display high acidity, moderate alcohol, and little tannin. Aromatic profiles often include intense citrus, green apple, gooseberry, tropical fruit (mango, passionfruit), and floral hints like elderflower. Winemaking approaches vary from crisp, dry stainless-steel fermented wines and sparkling bases to off-dry or late-harvest sweet wines. Ideal food pairings include shellfish, white fish, fresh salads, goat cheese, and mildly spicy Asian cuisine, where the wine's acidity and aromatics enhance the flavors.