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Chambourcin is an exceptional red wine grape. Though a hybrid, it's wine has European vinifera characteristics. It's habit of setting a large amount of fruit requires thinning to maintain quality and varietal character. When that is done, its wine is superb, with bramble/cherry-like fruit flavors and deep color. It has only moderate tannin levels and therefore is an excellent partner with our Cabernet Franc which we blend to make our "Rainy Day Red". Chambourcin's quality is known not only in the Eastern US, where it is a premier red variety, but also in France where it was "born" and is now planted and vinified, even though French law prohibits selling wine made from hybrids. Our own experience with it has been exceptional and we have also learned that it ages extremely well. Some bottles in our cellar are now over 20 years old and still exhibit surprisingly fresh and youthful flavors. We think Chambourcin's naturally higher acidity helps in that regard, and also makes it a very good food wine. We are thrilled with this variety - it is a foundation planting in our vineyard. |