Dornfelder
Red wine grape variety
Also known as Dornfelder Rotweintraube
Dornfelder is a red wine grape with signature aromas of sour cherry, blackberry, plum. Structure: Medium(+) body, Medium acidity, Medium tannin, Medium alcohol. Often confused with Merlot and Pinot Noir.
Recognition cues
First checks
- Anchor on deep color and ripe dark-fruit profile before assuming heavier tannic varieties.
- Check tannin as moderate and texture smooth compared with more angular structured reds.
Confidence signals
- Dark cherry-blackberry profile with deep color
- Medium-plus body and moderate tannin
Aromas
Signature
Common
Occasional
Commonly confused with
Classic anchors
- Classic regions: Rheinhessen · Pfalz · Wurttemberg
- Classic styles: Deep-colored modern German red · Fruit-driven medium-bodied red with soft tannin
Common questions
Is Dornfelder a red or white grape variety?
Dornfelder is a red wine grape variety.
What does Dornfelder smell and taste like?
Signature aromas of Dornfelder include sour cherry, blackberry and plum. Structural profile: Medium(+) body, Medium acidity, Medium tannin, Medium alcohol.
What blind-tasting cues distinguish Dornfelder?
Documented tells for Dornfelder: Anchor on deep color and ripe dark-fruit profile before assuming heavier tannic varieties. and Check tannin as moderate and texture smooth compared with more angular structured reds..
What is Dornfelder most often confused with in blind tasting?
Dornfelder is most commonly confused with Merlot, Pinot Noir and Gamay. Resolve the call with structure and signature aromas.
Where is Dornfelder grown?
Classic regions for Dornfelder include Rheinhessen, Pfalz and Wurttemberg.