Colobel

Colobel is an interspecific red grape variety, resulting from the crossing of Seibel 6150 and Seibel 5455, created by Albert Seibel in the early 20th century. It is primarily found in the Rhône Valley in France, with limited cultivation today. Colobel is mainly used for blending, contributing color and tannins to wines.

Colobel wines are deeply colored, tannic, and astringent, with a slightly bitter profile. The wine quality is average, and it is rich in anthocyanins, often used as a teinturier (dye grape) to enhance the color of lighter wines.

Colobel is cultivated in small quantities in the Rhône Valley, particularly in the Rhône, Ardèche, and Drôme departments. It was once more widespread in southern France but has seen a decline in plantings, with reauthorization for cultivation only in recent years.

While Colobel was once planted on a large scale in France, it has been reauthorized for cultivation only since 2008, with just a few hectares currently planted, mostly in the Loire region.