Rondo
Rondo was created in 1964 in the then-Czechoslovakia but was later developed further into the Rondo variety we know today by Geisenheim, the German Grape Breeding Institute. It was only released for commercial use in 1997 when it got its name Rondo. Because it is a relatively new variety, it is not yet very widespread and therefore unknown to the vast majority of wine consumers.
Rondo is a so-called inter-specific variety, a crossing between several varieties of the European Vitis Vinifera and the Asiatic Vitis Amurensis. To be exact, it is a crossing between the varieties (Precose de Malingre x Vitis Amurensis) and St. Laurent. Today the Vinifera variety St. Laurent is widely cultivated in the Czech Republic (approx 2000 hectares) and in the areas around Vienna, Austria (approx 500 hectares). The Amurensis variety is widespread in Asia and has adapted to a climate where harsh and cool growth seasons prevail. Genetically, Rondo is much closer to the Vinifera variety but, quite conveniently, it has inherited some of the qualities from the Amurensis. Rondo can cope with cold winters, it buds early, grows and matures at lower temperatures, and is more resistant against fungal deceases than the traditional Vinifera varieties. Therefore the Germans have decided to redefine Rondo to belong under the Vitis Vinifera variety, as its predominant genes are from the Vinifera variety.
Rondo vine produces relatively large grape clusters, the grapes are thick skinned with a strong bluish hue and taste of dark berries. It is a vigorous vine with large, dark green leaves, it grows long shoots and yields much fruit. For wine production it is therefore advantageous to limit the yield of the plant through hard winter pruning, to reduce the number of fruit-bearing buds and also to thin clusters, the so-called "green harvest", in middle of the growth season.
Regent
Regent is a so-called inter-specific variety, a crossing between the varieties (Silvaner and Müller Thurgau) and Chambourcin developed by the German Geilweilerhof Institute for Grape Breeding. It is a new variety, and was released for commercial cultivation in 1995. Today Regent is cultivated on 2200 hectares in Germany (2 per cent of the cultivated vine area).
Regent is a red grape variety with broad resistance against most fungal diseases. Regent wines are colour intensive, vigorous and spicy. Experience shows that it is particularly well suited as a cuvée, blended with other varieties.
