Discreetly grapey with delicate Muscat aromas, this extremely early ripening grape variety is used primarily for the production of fresh fruit juice (Most) and young wine in full fermentation (Sturm).
Origin
Austria, Bad Radkersburg (Steiermark)
Parentage
Breed from Gelber Muskateller x Weissburgunder
Vineyard area
220 ha, 0.5%
Parentage: This variety was bred at around 1900 by Clotar Bouvier in Bad Radkersburg.
Vineyard area: Bouvier is found mainly in Burgenland. Between 1999 and 2015, its vineyard area decreased noticeably.
Important ampelographic features:
Leaf: medium; circular with five lobes, deeply lobed
Grape cluster: small- to medium-sized; medium dense to loose grapes; cylindrical; often with wings; round, greenish-yellow grapes with thick skins
Ripening time: very early
Significance, conditions: Bouvier is marketed mainly as a table grape, as must, “Sturm” (still-fermenting grape juice) or as young wine. In Burgenland, its primary growing region, the variety makes also Prädikat wines that usually express a mild character with a delicate nutmeg tone. Disadvantages to the variety are its unpredictable and low yields.
Wine: The wines are mild, extract-rich and, depending on the site, have a more or less strong nutmeg bouquet.