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Cabernet Sauvignon

This variety is originally from the Bordeaux region. Based on published genetic studies, this variety would result from the crossbreeding between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon.

Registration Information

In France, Cabernet-Sauvignon is officially listed in the “Catalogue of vine varieties” on the A list and is classified for wine grapes. This variety is also listed in the catalogues of other Member States of the European Union: Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain.

Cultivation and Vine Characteristics

Cabernet-Sauvignon has a late bud burst. It is vigorous, with large-diameter vine shoots under fertile conditions, very long branches (elongated internodes) and lignified tendrils. This variety requires careful trellising. The pruning, which can be long or short in southern areas, is relatively slow. Large pruning wounds should be avoided. The removal of woods, which are hard, also requires considerable work. Cabernet-Sauvignon frequently produces better results on gravelly and draining ground, over acidic and well-exposed ground. This variety sometimes suffers from desiccation of the stems and this risk is increased by the use of certain rootstocks such as S04.

Wine Characteristics

The bunches and berries are small. Cabernet-Sauvignon makes wines with a very interesting tannic structure and a deep colour when it has reached a proper maturity. These wines are generally suitable for ageing and maturing in wood. This varieties vegetal aromas are replaced by much more pleasant and complex aromas once the grapes have reached a proper maturity. On the other hand, when vinified alone and not blended, Cabernet-Sauvignon often lacks body and fullness.

Susceptibility to Diseases and Pests

Cabernet-Sauvignon is not very susceptible to Botrytis. On the other hand, it is very susceptible to wood diseases (Eutypa dieback, Esca) and Powdery mildew.

Clonal selection in France

The eighteen certified Cabernet-Sauvignon clones carry the numbers 15, 169, 170, 191, 216, 217, 218, 219, 267, 269, 337, 338, 410, 411, 412, 685, 1124 and 1125. A collection-conservatory, planted in the Bordeaux wine-growing region, includes more than 250 clones based on surveys carried out between 1966 and 1988.

Available Clones

169

Clone appreciated for its growing characteristics and its suitability for producing wines for ageing.

Available in: VineTech Select, VineTech GrowerSelect, VineTech International, VineTech QuickVine

Clone Characteristics

  • Fertility: Low to medium
  • Production Level: Low to medium
  • Cluster Weight: Low to medium
  • Berry Size: Low to medium
  • Botrytis Sensitivity: Low

Wine Characteristics

  • Sugar Potential: High
  • Colour Potential: Medium to high
  • Acidity: Medium
  • Tannic Structure: Medium to high
  • Oenological Characteristics: Balanced and well-structured wines with round tannins.
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191

Clone carrying leaf roll virus 2. Budding and young leaves are more bronzed. Risk of maturity blockage if water stress is too great. Clone appreciated for its growing characteristic and its suitability for producing wines for ageing.

Available in: VineTech Select, VineTech GrowerSelect, VineTech QuickVine

Clone Characteristics

  • Fertility: Low to medium
  • Production Level: Low
  • Cluster Weight: Low
  • Vine Vigor: Low
  • Berry Size: Low to medium
  • Botrytis Sensitivity: Low

Wine Characteristics

  • Sugar Potential: High
  • Colour Potential: High
  • Acidity: Medium
  • Tannic Structure: High
  • Oenological Characteristics: Colourful and structured wines.
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412

Clone appreciated for its growing characteristics and its suitability for producing wines for ageing.

Available in: VineTech Select, VineTech GrowerSelect, VineTech QuickVine

Clone Characteristics

  • Fertility: Low to medium
  • Production Level: Low
  • Cluster Weight: Low to medium
  • Berry Size: Low to medium
  • Botrytis Sensitivity: Low

Wine Characteristics

  • Sugar Potential: High
  • Colour Potential: Medium to high
  • Acidity: Medium
  • Tannic Structure: Medium to high
  • Oenological Characteristics: Balanced and structured wines.
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685

More productive and more vigorous clone, that is slightly later ripening.

Available in: VineTech Select, VineTech GrowerSelect, VineTech QuickVine

Clone Characteristics

  • Fertility: High
  • Production Level: High
  • Cluster Weight: High
  • Berry Size: Medium
  • Botrytis Sensitivity: Low

Wine Characteristics

  • Sugar Potential: Medium
  • Colour Potential: Medium
  • Acidity: Medium
  • Tannic Structure: Medium
  • Oenological Characteristics: Typical wines of the grape variety.
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1124

Higher vigor than clone 191. Appreciated for its suitability for producing wines for ageing. Clone of clone 191 that is sanitized by apex micrografting. It is free from leaf roll virus 2.

Available in: VineTech GrowerSelect, VineTech International, VineTech QuickVine

Clone Characteristics

  • Fertility: Medium
  • Production Level: Medium
  • Cluster Weight: Medium
  • Vine Vigor: Medium to high
  • Berry Size: Low to medium
  • Botrytis Sensitivity: Medium

Wine Characteristics

  • Sugar Potential: Medium to high
  • Colour Potential: High
  • Acidity: Medium
  • Tannic Structure: High
  • Oenological Characteristics: Colourful and structured wines.
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1125

Clone belonging to the family of clone 337. It is free from leaf roll virus 2. Clone appreciated for its growing characteristics and its suitability for producing wines for ageing.

Available in: VineTech GrowerSelect, VineTech International, VineTech QuickVine

Clone Characteristics

  • Fertility: Medium
  • Production Level: Medium
  • Cluster Weight: Medium
  • Vine Vigor: Medium
  • Berry Size: Medium
  • Botrytis Sensitivity: Medium

Wine Characteristics

  • Sugar Potential: Medium to high
  • Colour Potential: High
  • Acidity: Medium
  • Tannic Structure: Medium to high
  • Oenological Characteristics: Wines appreciated for their organoleptic quality and in particular in terms of balance, colour, and structure.
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More Varieties

All information has been provided by VineTech’s genetics providers.

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