Cabernet Cortis

Summary

Cabernet Cortis is a red PIWI variety producing wines with Cabernet Sauvignon-like character but earlier ripening, enabling Cabernet-style wines in cooler climates where the parent variety cannot reliably mature. Developed at the Freiburg Research Institute in Germany in 1982 by crossing Cabernet Sauvignon with Solaris, Cabernet Cortis combines good disease resistance with quality potential and the ability to ripen 3-4 weeks earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon. With approximately 200 hectares planted, primarily in Germany and Switzerland, Cabernet Cortis represents a successful bridge between the prestige of Cabernet Sauvignon and the practicality of PIWI varieties in northern European viticulture.

Identity

VIVC: Entry #22474
Berry Color: NOIR
Type: PIWI (Interspecific hybrid)

Breeding Number: FR 426-82 (Freiburg)

Creator: Norbert Becker, Staatliches Weinbauinstitut Freiburg, Germany
Year: 1982 (crossing)

Genetic Origin

Parentage: Cabernet Sauvignon × Solaris

Breaking down the parentage:

Cabernet Sauvignon: Provides varietal character, structure
Solaris: PIWI white variety contributing disease resistance and early ripening

Breeding Goals:

Cabernet Sauvignon character
Strong disease resistance
Earlier ripening for German conditions
Quality wine potential

Result: Successfully achieved; Cabernet Cortis ripens 3-4 weeks before Cabernet Sauvignon

Disease Resistance Profile

Disease	Resistance Level	Notes
Downy Mildew	HIGH	Strong resistance
Powdery Mildew	HIGH	Strong resistance
Botrytis	MEDIUM	Some susceptibility
Black Rot	HIGH	Good resistance

Spray Reduction: 60-80% reduction vs. Cabernet Sauvignon

Practical Impact: Enables Cabernet-style wines in organic/sustainable viticulture

Distribution

Total Global Plantings: ~200 hectares

Country	Hectares	Notes
Germany	~100	Primary region
Switzerland	~50	Established
Austria	~20	Growing
England	~15	Trial plantings
Other	~15	Various

Market Position: Quality PIWI red for cool climates seeking Cabernet character

Viticulture

Growth Characteristics

Vigor: Medium
Growth Habit: Semi-erect
Budbreak: Medium
Flowering: Mid-season
Véraison: Medium (earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon)
Harvest: EARLY-MEDIUM (3-4 weeks before Cabernet Sauvignon)

The Early Ripening Advantage

Cabernet Cortis’s earlier ripening:

Germany: Harvestable in late September-early October
Advantage: Avoids autumn rain and rot pressure
Quality: Achieves phenolic maturity reliably
Climate: Makes Cabernet-style wines viable in cool regions

Climate Requirements

Ideal Climate: Cool continental
Heat Summation: 1,200-1,500 GDD (base 10°C)
Key Feature: Ripens where Cabernet Sauvignon cannot
Frost: Good tolerance

Soil Preferences

Adaptable: Various wine soils
Ideal: Well-drained with moderate fertility
Traditional: German wine soils

Viticultural Management

Training: Guyot or cordon
Pruning: Standard practices
Yield Control: 60-80 hl/ha for quality
Spray Program: Significantly reduced
Harvest Timing: Monitor for full phenolic ripeness

Enology

Must Parameters at Harvest

Parameter	Typical Range	Notes
Brix	21-24°	Good accumulation
pH	3.3-3.6	Moderate
Titratable Acidity	6.0-7.5 g/L	Good
YAN	180-250 mg/L	Adequate

Phenolic Profile

Anthocyanins: Good (decent color)
Total Tannins: Moderate to high
Character: Cabernet-like but slightly softer

Aroma Compounds

Pyrazines: Present (bell pepper, herbaceous)
Terpenes: Minor contribution
Character: Recognizable Cabernet aromatics

Fermentation

Yeast Selection: Standard red wine yeasts
Temperature: 26-30°C
Duration: 10-18 days
Maceration: Extended (14-21 days)
Cap Management: Regular punch-downs

Wine Styles

Style	Method	Character
Classic	Standard maceration, oak	Cabernet-like, balanced
Premium	Extended maceration, barriques	Structured, complex
Blend	With other PIWI	Multi-variety assemblage

Oak Aging

Recommended: 12-18 months
Type: French oak
New Oak: 20-40%
Effect: Enhances Cabernet character

Aging Potential

Young: 3-5 years
Premium: 8-15 years
Character: Develops Cabernet-like tertiary notes

Sensory Profile

Visual

Intensity: Deep
Hue: Ruby to purple
Comparison: Slightly lighter than Cabernet Sauvignon

Aromatic Profile

Category	Descriptors
Fruit	BLACKCURRANT, black cherry, plum
Herbal	BELL PEPPER, herbs, mint
Spice	Black pepper
Oak	Cedar, vanilla (if oaked)
Tertiary	Tobacco, leather (with age)

Palate

Body: Medium to full
Acidity: Medium
Tannins: Moderate to firm
Alcohol: Moderate (12.5-14%)
Finish: Medium-long, Cabernet character

Comparison to Cabernet Sauvignon

Aspect	Cabernet Cortis	Cabernet Sauvignon
Ripening	Early	Late
Color	Deep	Very Deep
Tannins	Moderate-Firm	Firm
Intensity	Good	High
Disease Resistance	Excellent	Poor

Winemaker Considerations

Challenges

Lighter Than Parent: Not quite as intense as Cabernet Sauvignon
Recognition: Unknown to most consumers
Appellation Rules: Not yet widely permitted
Varietal Expectations: Managing comparisons

Opportunities

Cool Climate Cabernet: Makes style viable where impossible before
Sustainability: Reduced spray program
Quality: Serious, cellar-worthy wines
Early Ripening: Reliable harvests
Market Niche: Cabernet lovers seeking sustainability

Winemaking Tips

Treat like Cabernet Sauvignon
Extended maceration enhances structure
Oak aging essential for complexity
Market on both Cabernet character and sustainability

Comparison with Cabernet Family PIWI

Characteristic	Cabernet Cortis	Cabernet Jura	Cabernet Cantor
Ripening	Early	Medium-Late	Medium
Body	Medium-Full	Full	Medium
Tannins	Moderate-Firm	Firm	Soft
Parent	Cab. Sauv. × Solaris	Cab. Sauv. × hybrid	Cab. Sauv. × hybrid
Character	Cab. Sauv.-like	Cab. Sauv.-like	Elegant

Sources

VIVC Database - Vitis International Variety Catalogue
Staatliches Weinbauinstitut Freiburg
PIWI International Association
German Wine Institute
Becker, N. (2000). PIWI breeding at Freiburg. Vitis 39(4). Vitis Journal

Last Updated: January 13, 2026