About

In the Czech Republic, it is grown exclusively in Moravia. It can be found more often in the area around Velké Pavlovice or Mikulov. It is also grown in the Mutěnice or Bzenecko regions.

Due to its intense colour, it is valued in Germany as a raw material for increasing the colour of red wines and for maturing in barriques.

In our country, it is grown on less than 1% of the vineyard area however it is also grown in "non-vineyard" countries such as England, Belgium or the Netherlands. The variety was entered in the State Variety Book in the Czech Republic in 2004.

Dornfelder is a medium-early grape blue variety which was formed by crossing Helfensteiner x Heroldrebe (i.e. Jakubské x Trolínské) x (Blauer Portugieser x Frankovka). The variety was bred at the Vine and Fruit Testing Institute in Weinsberg, Germany.

The grape is large, sparse to medium dense with a medium-long stalk. The berry is medium to large, broadly elliptical in shape. The colour of the berry is blue-black, the flesh is colourless. The sprouting time is medium early. Harvest maturity begins in the first decade of October. The variety is resistant to attack by downy mildew, and is moderately resistant to attack by downy mildew and noble rot. It is less resistant to damage from winter frosts, spring frosts do not damage it, it does not tolerate drought. The variety is very fertile and therefore requires a proportionate load.

The grape of the variety is pleasing, the taste of the berry is pleasant without specific peculiarities, therefore it can be used for direct consumption in favourable conditions.

The wine is of excellent quality, dark black colour, slightly aromatic aroma and flavour. Due to its intense colour, it is valued in Germany as a raw material for increasing the colour of red wines and for maturing in barriques.