Orion is a white wine grape variety of German origin. It was created by Dr. Gerhardt Alleweldt (1927-2005) at the Geilweilerhof Institute for Grape Breeding in Siebeldingen in 1964, by crossing the Vitis vinifera variety Optima with the hybrid grape Villard Blanc.Vitis International Variety Catalogue: Orion, accessed on May 16, 2008Wein-Plus Glossar: Orion, accessed on January 24, 2013 Therefore, Orion is itself a hybrid grape (interspecific crossing) rather than a pure Vitis vinifera.
Orion derives its name from the mythological hunter Orion, which gave the constellation Orion its name. The grape variety is also known under the synonyms Geilweilerhof GA-58-30 and Gf. GA-58-30.
Orion is grown in small quantities in the UK at the Royal Horticultural Society's Wisley Garden, where it is used together with the Phoenix hybrid grape to produce a dry white wine.
References