Irsai Olivér is a
Hungarian white wine variety, cross-bred between
Pozsonyi and
Pearl of Csaba in 1930. It ripens early and has a distinctive
Muscat
Muscat ( ar, مَسْقَط, ) is the capital and most populated city in Oman. It is the seat of the Governorate of Muscat. According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the total population of Muscat Governorate was ...
character.
Description and spread
This relatively recent Hungarian cross has rare leafage, big, loose clusters of grapes, and resistance to many vine diseases. The grapes ripen in August.
This type of wine can be compared to Pinot Grigio, but gives more fragrance, similar to Muscat. Its light, green-yellow color associates with a fragrance reminiscent of tropical fruits and lemon, and a low acidity level. Irsai Olivér alone is best drunk young, but is often improved by blending with a more structured variety.
Irsai is mostly planted in Hungary, although it appears in
Moldova
Moldova ( , ; ), officially the Republic of Moldova ( ro, Republica Moldova), is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east, and south. The unrecognised state of Transnistr ...
, Slovakia and Russia. The wine is popular in Central Europe, as an easy-going, true chilled summer wine. It goes well with less spicy Hungarian dishes, but it is more often drunk between meals, often with soda water (as ''fröccs'' i. e.
Spritzer
A spritzer is a tall, chilled drink, usually made with white wine and carbonated water or sparkling mineral water. Fermented simple syrup can be used instead of white wine to keep it sweet but flavor neutral.
Origin
''Spritzer'' is derived f ...
).
[Text in Hungarian but with a section on ''fröccs'' variants in English]
Retrieved 20 July 2018.
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Synonyms
Irsai Olivér has been known also under the synonyms Aranyló, Aranyló Korai, Irchai Oliver, Irsai, Irsai Olivér Muskotály, Irshai Oliver, Korai Aranyló, Muscat Oliver, Muskat Irsai Oliver, Muskat Oliver, Olivér Irsai, Oliver Irsay, Zoeloetistii Rannii, Zolotisti Ranij, Zolotistyi Rannii, Zolotistyi Ranniy, Zolotistyj Rannij, and Zolotisztuej Rannij.[.]
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Irsai Oliver
White wine grape varieties
Grape varieties of Hungary
See also
* Hungarian grape varieties
* Cserszegi fűszeres