A relative newcomer, bred in 1955, Dornfelder wine is already considered a German red wine classic and has been in great demand for years. Originally developed for use as a blending wine to add colour to pale red wines, Dornflder wine is a crossing of Helfensteiner and Heroldrebe. It is easier to grow and ripen than Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), Portugieser or Lemberger, and can also yield heavily. The Dornfelder grape was first introduced to England in the late 1980s where it has mostly been used for rosés and sparkling wine production.