Cabernet Gernischt
Encyclopedia
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
believed to be of European origin, and similar if not identical to Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is one of the major black grape varieties worldwide. It is principally grown for blending with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the Bordeaux style, but can also be vinified alone - as in the Loire's Chinon...
.
In the late 19th century, the Phylloxera epidemic destroyed most of the European vineyards, most notably in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. It is believed that one of the varieties lost to the European vineyards was the Cabernet Gemischt grape (also occasionally spelt as 'Cabnernet Gernischet'), an ancestor of today’s Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is one of the major black grape varieties worldwide. It is principally grown for blending with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the Bordeaux style, but can also be vinified alone - as in the Loire's Chinon...
. A number of winemakers and Chinese wine industry figures believe that Cabernet Gernischt could be the same grape as Carmenère
Carmenère
The Carménère grape is a wine grape variety originally planted in the Médoc region of Bordeaux, France, where it was used to produce deep red wines and occasionally used for blending purposes in the same manner as Petit Verdot....
, being mistakenly called "mixed cabernet" when it arrived in China. However, the grape
Grape
A grape is a non-climacteric fruit, specifically a berry, that grows on the perennial and deciduous woody vines of the genus Vitis. Grapes can be eaten raw or they can be used for making jam, juice, jelly, vinegar, wine, grape seed extracts, raisins, molasses and grape seed oil. Grapes are also...
variety was introduced into the Shandong
Shandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
region of China in 1892 by Zhangyu Winery (aka. Changyu Pioneer Wine Co.) The name has been changed to Cabernet Gernischt (either by intent or by misspelling), but it still maintains the grape’s aromas and flavors.
The Cabernet Gernischt grape is now unique to China. With French guidance and techniques, Chinese vineyards are producing fine wines modelled on a European ideal with distinctively Chinese sensibilities; harmoniously balanced wines that pair gracefully with food. The natural benefits of the climate acts to improve the fruit’s quality and provide potential for extraordinary wines that are restrained in alcohol, refreshingly crisp and nuanced in flavour.