The red grape variety (breeding number We 71-817-89) is a new breed between Blauer Limberger (Blaufränkisch) x Dornfelder according to DNA analyses published in 2012. The crossing of Dornfelder x Cabernet Sauvignon stated in the breeding list turned out to be wrong. The cross was made in 1971 by the breeders Helmut Schleip and Bernd H. E. Hill at the State Teaching and Research Institute for Viticulture and Fruit Growing in Weinsberg (Württemberg). The plant variety protection was granted in 2003. The new variety Cabernet Dorsa was created from the same parents. The medium to late-maturing, frost-hardy vine produces a velvety red wine with discreetly pronounced tannins. In Germany it is mainly grown in the Palatinate, Rheinhessen and Württemberg (34 ha) and in Switzerland (0.2 ha). In 2016, a total of 34 hectares of vineyards were designated (Kym Anderson).
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Dr. Christa Hanten
Fachjournalistin, Lektorin und Verkosterin, Wien