Definition: Geisenheim

Wine research institute named after the small town in the Rheingau region of Germany where it is located. Founded in 1872, the institute became famous when Professor Müller (from Thurgau in German) worked in Geisenheim. As a biologist, he succeeded in crossing Riesling and Sylvaner to produce a new variety, Müller-Thurgau, which occupies an important place in the world's vineyards. The institute was founded to combat phylloxera in Germany and has since remained one of the most influential research centres in the propagation of vine plants.