Ruby Cabernet
| Ruby Cabernet | |
|---|---|
| Grape (Vitis) | |
 |
|
| Species | Vitis vinifera |
| Also called | - |
| Origin | California, United States |
| Notable regions | California, South Africa, Australia |
| Hazards | Powdery mildew, leaf roll virus, fan leaf virus |
Ruby Cabernet is a red Olmo grape variety that is 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.
The purpose for the creation of the crossing of the grape varieties utilized to produce Ruby Cabernet was to obtain the superior quality of a Cabernet wine, and the resistance to heat of the Carignan combined in an inexpensive table wine. Even though the wine made from these grapes does not possess the distinctive flavor and the overall structure of other types of Cabernet wines, it does carry their fruitful essence.
The grape for this type of red wine was developed for California's hot climate, specially for regions such as the San Joaquin and the Napa Valleys. Ruby Cabernet has improved the quality of the bulk wines produced in these areas thanks to its natural, special acidity.
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.
A little is grown in Argentina for blending into bulk wines.
Small amounts are grown in the Hunter Valley and Murray-Darling region, disappearing into nondescript blends. However a few producers take the variety seriously. Andrew McPherson in Victoria uses the variety in several export wines f.x Full Fifteen exported to England and Denmark.
Vale do São Francisco winery in Pernambuco, Brazilian Northeast region, successfully grows the variety and produces the wine Botticelli Coleção Ruby Cabernet. Vinícola Campos de Cima in Itaqui, Campanha Gaúcha, grows the grape and produces a 100% varietal of the wine Ruby Cabernet.
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Wikipedia