Ruby Cabernet

Ruby Cabernet is a red wine grape variety that is valued for its drought resistance if not for the quality of its wines. A cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Carignan, it can produce wines with good colour and a pleasant cherry flavour, but is mostly blended into bulk wines.^[1]

History

Ruby Cabernet is a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Carignan created in 1936 by Dr Harold Olmo at UC Davis in California. The intention was to combine Carignan's heat tolerance with Cabernet Sauvignon's quality, like the Cinsaut x Pinot Noir cross that led to Pinotage a few years previously.

Wine regions

Argentina

A little is grown in Argentina, for instance Viñedo de los Vientos blend it with Tannat.

Australia

Small amounts are grown in the Hunter Valley and Murray-Darling region, disappearing into nondescript blends.

Chile

Some Ruby Cabernet is supposedly grown in Chile, but few wines will admit to it on the label.

South Africa

For a while Ruby Cabernet was thought to hold a lot of promise for the hotter regions of South Africa, but in practice problems with fruit set have limited its success.

USA

Ruby Cabernet is mostly planted in California, particularly in the Central Valley where it adds colour and backbone to bulk wines.

Vine and Viticulture

The vine is very drought resistant, and stands up well to high winds. Poor fruit set has been a problem in South Africa, and it is vulnerable to powdery mildew.

Synonyms

none

References