Origin: Cabernet Dorsa is a German red wine variety bred by Helmut Schleip and Bernd Hill. It was introduced in 1971 by the Staatliche Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt für Wein- und Obstbau in Weinsberg.

Interbreeding: Cabernet Dorsa originated from an interbreeding of the varieties Blaufränkisch and Dornfelder. The breeders' original claim was an interbreeding of Dornfelder and Cabernet Sauvignon, but this has since been disproved by DNA analysis.

Characteristics: This variety has medium to good wood maturity and excellent winter frost resistance. The bud burst time of this variety is early and it grows strong and very upright. The side shoot growth is low. The flowering time is in the middle range and has a medium to high flowering stability. The variety ripens medium early and the grape weights are medium to high. The grapes are shouldered and the stem strength is good. It shows a high to very high must weight performance with a medium to low acidity. Cabernet Dorsa has a fairly high botrytis resistance, but an increased susceptibility to powdery mildew, especially in young plants. It is advisable to carry out a consistent preventive treatment against powdery mildew in young plants. High yields can affect wine quality, so thinning out is beneficial. If the berries have a shot size, a vigorous thinning out of the grape zone is advisable.

Grape: The grape is looser, has smaller berries, ripens a little later and has smaller berries and grapes than Dornfelder. The berries are blue-black in colour.

Wine: The wines are intense in colour and can also be rich in tannins. They present an appealing play of fruit aromas, especially cherry aromas are clearly perceptible. In general, these wines are characterised by a distinct red wine character, as they offer a balanced harmony, plenty of body and a long persistence.

Cultivation: The newly bred red wine vine thrives particularly well on medium-growing sites. The variety has medium site requirements with a medium vegetation period. The bud burst time is early, so locations at risk of late frost should be avoided. It is a relatively robust variety with great future prospects. 

Clones

The clone We 750 is the only clone of this new grape variety so far.