The red grape variety is a new breed between Madeleine Angevine x Teinturier (Teinturier du Cher) according to DNA analyses published in 2012. The parentage listed in the breeding register Blauer Portugieser x Teinturier has proven to be incorrect. Synonyms include Froelich V 4-4, Farbtraube Froelich, Fröhlicher, and Purpur. The crossing took place in the early 20th century by the vineyard owner and private breeder Gustav Adolf Froelich Gustav Adolf (1847-1912). For many decades, the grape variety remained unnoticed and was used as "Froelich V 4-4" in breeding institutions.
In the 1930s, it was studied ampelographically at the research institute Geisenheim and received the name Dunkelfelder from Dr. Helmut Becker Helmut (1927-1990), referencing the unknown origin and the dark color of the juice. The varietal protection was granted in 1980. The vine is sensitive to frost, drought, and downy mildew. It produces deep dark, color-intensive red wines, making it very suitable as a Teinturier (dye grape). In Germany, it occupies 227 hectares of vineyard area with a declining trend. Further stocks exist in Switzerland (23 ha), England, and Canada (2 ha). In 2016, 291 hectares of vineyard area were recorded (Kym Anderson Kym).
![]()
wein.plus is a handy, efficient guide to a quick overview of the colourful world of wines, winegrowers and grape varieties. In Wine lexicon, the most comprehensive of its kind in the world, you will find around 26,000 keywords on the subject of grape varieties, wineries, wine-growing regions and much more.
Roman Horvath MW
Domäne Wachau (Wachau)