Cabernet Gernischt
Cabernet Gernischt is the name given to a red wine grape variety used in China. Originally believed to be of European origin, and similar if not identical to Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Gernischt has since been proven to be genetically identical to Carménère.[1]
The history of the grape dates back to the late 19th century, when the Phylloxera epidemic destroyed most of the European vineyards, most notably in France. It was believed that one of the varieties lost to the European vineyards was the Cabernet Gemischt grape, an ancestor of today’s Cabernet Franc.The grape variety was introduced into the Shandong region of China in 1892 by Zhangyu Winery (or Changyu Pioneer Wine Company)[2] At some point in time, the name was changed from Cabernet Gemischt to Cabernet Gernischt (either by intent or by misspelling).A number of winemakers and Chinese wine industry figures believed that Cabernet Gernischt could be the same grape as Carmenère, being mistakenly called "mixed cabernet" when it arrived in China.[3]
Notes
- ↑ Robinson,J. (2012, September 14).Changyu, Cabernet Gernischt Blend 2011 Ningxia [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://www.jancisrobinson.com/articles/changyu-cabernet-gernischt-blend-2011-ningxia
- ↑ Journal of Fruit Science, G. Luo, China Agricultural University, 1999
- ↑ Mr Zhang, director of Changyu Wine Museum in Yantai; Mr Gérard Colin, general director at Domaines Barons de Rothschild Citic Wine Estate in Shandong province, both in talks with the OIV MSc programme in wine management, June 2010