Dornfelder
The high flyer among the red wines in our region. By far the most commonly grown red wine variety in Rheinhessen.
Cultivation
Originally, because of their color intensity, Dornfelder wines were only intended as blending partners (Deckrotwein) for red wines that are somewhat pale in some years. In fact, they then established themselves very successfully as red wines in their own right. Dornfelder is a grape variety that ripens early. When the vine develops freely, it tends to produce high yields. For this reason, more and more winemakers are moving to reduce yields by pruning and limiting the number of ripening grapes, so that more ingredients and flavors are concentrated in the remaining grapes. The Dornfelder does not like sandy or stony soils.
Place value
Since the beginning of the 80s, the Dornfelder has been gaining more and more acceptance. It started its triumphal procession in the 90s. In Rheinhessen, 3,216 ha* (12%) are currently planted with this vine. In Harxheim, the area under Dornfelder grapes has decreased by 28% to 5 ha* (6.4%) over the past 20 years. This is also due to the fact that the cherry vinegar fly, which is spreading more and more, damages the ripe grapes and causes quality and yield losses.
Dornfelder
Image source: Marion Schenk
Dornfelder in the line
Image source: Marion Schenk
History
The Dornfelder is a new variety developed at the State Teaching and Research Institute for Viticulture and Fruit Growing in Weinsberg. It is a cross between the Helfensteiner and Heroldrebe varieties. The spiritual father of this grape variety is the vine breeder August Herold. He chose the crossing varieties in 1955 so that a robust, high-yielding and less susceptible grape variety was created. The vine is named after the founder of the Weinsberg winegrowing school, Immanuel Dornfeld. The German Federal Office of Plant Varieties entered the Dornfelder in the Variety Protection Register in 1979/80.
Vinification
Dornfelder wines can be vinified in different ways. When aged in stainless steel barrels, it brings out intense aromas such as blackberry, sour cherry or even elderberry. When aged in wooden barrels, the tannin structure of the wine is particularly emphasized. In recent years, more and more Dornfelder grapes have also been vinified into rose wines, which complement the fruit-driven variety.
Pleasure
Dornfelder red wines are typical wines for the cooler season. They go well with game or with a hearty roast and cheese. The fruit-driven variants – both rose and red actually go well with almost any food.
Status 04.01.2023 Dornfelder red grape varieties Rheinhessen 2023 https://www.rheinhessen.de/dornfelder
Dornfelder German Wine Institute 2023 https://www.deutscheweine.de/wissen/rebsorten/rote-rebsorten/dornfelder/
Dornfelder Wikipedia 2023 https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dornfelder
Chamber of Agriculture Rhineland-Palatinate, EU vineyard register, status 2022
