The red grape variety is a new cross between Sumoll x Cabernet Sauvignon. The cross was made in 1972 at the CSIRO Plant Industry Institute in Merbein, Australia, by Alan Antcliff. The variety protection or release for cultivation was granted in 2000. The breeding goal was a quality wine variety for the special, hot, climatic conditions of the country. Incidentally, the same parents also produced the new varieties Rubienne and Tyrian. The vine is resistant to fungal diseases. It produces dark-coloured, extremely tannic red wines with aromas of mint. The Brown Brothers winery (state of Victoria) was involved in the development, and the variety is also grown by its selected contract winemakers. In 2016, 70 hectares of vineyards were designated in Australia (Kym Anderson).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
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