Cabernet Cortis is an early-ripening wine grape variety, ripening approximately one week earlier than Pinot Noir. This variety was developed in 1982 at the State Viticulture Institute in the city of Freiburg, Germany, by crossing Cabernet Sauvignon and Solaris. The vine has great growth vigor, hermaphroditic flowers, and insignificant to moderate suckering. Bunches are conical, medium-sized, about 15 centimeters long and up to 8 centimeters wide, weighing approximately 150 grams with medium density. Berries are round, deep purple color with dense pruineous bloom, about 1.5 centimeters in diameter, with a fairly thick skin and juicy, slightly mucilaginous flesh. The variety is characterized by high yield — 130-160 centners per hectare, as well as good sugar content (19-21%) while maintaining moderate acidity (5-6 g/l). Cabernet Cortis accumulates sugar well, surpassing Pinot Noir, and at the same time, acidity decreases only slightly during ripening. The grape has a harmonious taste with notes of blackcurrant, tobacco, dry grass, and green pepper. The vine ripens well, is characterized by high resistance to diseases such as downy mildew and powdery mildew, as well as to gray mold, which damages bunches to a minor degree. Furthermore, the variety shows increased resistance to winter frosts down to -22°C and tolerates drought well. Wines produced from Cabernet Cortis are distinguished by high quality, rich color, and extractability. They are rich in phenolic compounds and have a strong aroma reminiscent of Cabernet Sauvignon, one of the parents of the variety. Such wines are able to satisfy the taste preferences even of the most demanding sommeliers, thanks to their rich flavor bouquet and expressive structure.
