Irsai Olivér is a Hungarian white wine variety, cross-bred between Pozsonyi and

Pearl of Csaba Pearl of Csaba (''Csabagyöngye'' in Hungarian) is a white variety of grape. It was created in 1904 by the Hungarian viticulturalist Adolf Stark, presumably by crossing Madeleine Angevine × Muscat Courtillier (= Muscat Précoce de Saumur).

in 1930. It ripens early and has a distinctive

Muscat Muscat (, ) is the capital and most populous city in Oman. It is the seat of the Governorate of Muscat. According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the population of the Muscat Governorate in 2022 was 1.72 million. ...

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, is a Landlocked country, landlocked country in Eastern Europe, with an area of and population of 2.42 million. Moldova is bordered by Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east, and south. ...

, 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 deriv ...

).Text in Hungarian but with a section on ''fröccs'' variants in English
Retrieved 20 July 2018.

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

Description and spread

Synonyms

References

See also