| Thinking of Planting Norton? Well, think again. CRIMSON CABERNET is Norton (America’s best wine grape), crossed with Cabernet Sauvignon (the World’s best wine grape). In one sentence, then, Crimson Cabernet is simply the best American grape crossed with the best European grape … period. Although both Norton and Cabernet are excellent vines and wines, each has some negative features which Crimson Cabernet largely overcomes. Crimson Cabernet has these advantages over Norton In the Vineyard: 1. It grows normally in the early years whereas Norton is a weak grower and can take several years to show good growth. 2. It can bear a crop years earlier than Norton and can thus earn revenue sooner. 3. It is grown on a single curtain trellis as opposed to the much more cumbersome and expensive double curtain trellis which Norton demands for well managed growth. 4. It is easy to prune and tolerates some variation in methods and does not require the highly skilled, exacting pruning system of Norton. 5. Its canes are naturally downwardly inclined, making training relatively easy. It does not require the tedious, laborious, mid-trellis curtain management of Norton. 6. It can be machine harvested if desired, unlike double curtain Norton which can not be. 7. It should be planted 8 feet between vines in the row with the distance between rows at 9 to 10 feet. In the Winery: 1. Norton is 50% Vitis Vinifera. Crimson Cabernet is a full 75% with one parent being the noble Cabernet Sauvignon. It is of royal descent (albeit with a bar sinister in its coat-of-arms). 2. The bunches and berries are larger and have more juice. The must is therefore of a normal consistency rather than the thick paste of Norton which is difficult to manage. 3. There are far fewer seeds thus avoiding the “rusty nail” character of Norton which can come from excessive seed contact. 4. Having a more complex and nobler lineage, Crimson Cabernet produces a far better wine that is multidimensional and gains in complexity with aging. Crimson Cabernet has these advantages over Cabernet Sauvignon In the Vineyard 1. It is self-rooted. It does not need to be grafted. 2. It is more winter hardy since the Norton parent is one of the most winter hardy vines. 3. Even in the event the vines are winter killed to the ground, they can be renewed from the roots. 4. It has good resistance to powdery mildew which can ravage Cabernet. 5. It is a continental plant that does not demand a maritime climate. In the Winery 1. Cabernet Sauvignon can produce the best wines in the world when grown in ideal locations (almost always within an easy drive of an ocean). In continental climates, however, its wines can be somewhat light and lacking in middle palate. Crimson Cabernet can make a more full bodied wine in many cases. 2. The flavor profile of Crimson Cabernet is not just an imitation of Cab Sauvignon but a unique new high quality profile. 3. Both age extremely well and can handle new oak barrels. Crimson Cabernet seems to be approachable at an earlier age however. |
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