Clairette B
Name of the variety in France
Clairette
Origin
This variety is originally from Provence.
Synonyms
There is no officially recognized synonym in France nor in the other countries of the European Union, for this variety.
Legal information
In France, Clairette is officially listed in the "Catalogue of vine varieties" on the A list and classified. This variety is alsoy listed in the catalogues of other Member States of the European Union: Cyprus and Italy.
Use
Wine, table and spirits grape variety.
Evolution of cultivated areas in France
1958 1968 1979 1988 1998 2008 2018
ha 14099 12544 5331 3898 3157 2564 2115
Descriptive elements
The identification is based on:
- the tip of the young shoot with a very high density of prostrate hairs,
- the yellow young leaves,
- the circular adult leaves, with five lobes, deep lateral sinuses, a closed petiole sinus with very overlapping lobes, teeth with straight sides, low to medium anthocyanin coloration of veins, a slightly goffered leaf blade, undulate between the veins near the petiole sinus, and on the lower side of the leaves, a high density of prostrate hairs,
- the ellipsoid berries.
Genetic profile
Microsatellite VVS2 VVMD5 VVMD7 VVMD27 VRZAG62 VRZAG79 VVMD25 VVMD28 VVMD32
Allel 1 135 223 239 176 186 252 240 227 255
Allel 2 149 229 249 188 204 252 262 257 261
Phenology
Bud burst: 8 days after Chasselas.
Grape maturity: late-season, 4 weeks after Chasselas.
Suitability for cultivation and agronomic production
Clairette is a vigorous grape variety, which must be pruned short. Better yields are achieved on limestone, not fertile, lean and dry soils. Careful disbudding is needed. It has a semi-erect bearing and its shoots are a little susceptible to wind. At maturity, the peducunle of bunches lignifies.
Susceptibility to diseases and pests
This variety is susceptible to grape moths and mites. On the other hand, Clairette is relatively less sensitive to powdery mildew and grey rot.
Technological potentiality
The bunches and berries are medium in size. Clairette gives fairly alcoholic wines (and sometimes sweet with raisining or over-maturation), relatively low in acidity, with noticeable aromas (apple) and sometimes presenting a light harshness or bitterness on the finish. This variety can also be used to make sparkling wine.
Clonal selection in France
The ten certified Clairette clones carry the numbers 68, 69, 93, 94, 97, 98, 175, 207, 208 and 209. A conservatory of more than 130 clones was planted in spring 2007, in the wine-growing region of Bellegarde (French departement of Gard).
Bibliographic references
- Catalogue des variétés et clones de vigne cultivés en France. Collectif, 2007, Ed. IFV, Le Grau-du-Roi, France.
- Documentary collections of the Centre de Ressources Biologiques de la Vigne de Vassal-Montpellier, INRAE - Institut Agro | Montpellier, Marseillan, France.
- Dictionnaire encyclopédique des cépages et de leurs synonymes. P. Galet, 2015, Ed. Libre&Solidaire, France.
- Traité général de viticulture, Ampélographie. P. Viala and V. Vermorel, 1901-1909, Ed. Masson, Paris, France.
Description of clones certified in France
Identity and availability Agronomic data Technological data Autres informations
Clone no. Marque Origin Selection Year of
certification
Agronomic
references
Surface area used
for propagation (year)
Fertility Production
level
Bunch
weight
Vigor Berry
size
Susceptibility
to grey rot
Sugar
level
Color
potential
Titrable
acidity
Tannic
structure
Aromatic
intensity
Oenological
suitability
New General
note
Agro-tecnic
note
Note
agronomique
Agronomic
note
Links
68 Gard ENTAV 1971 Languedoc
Rhône-Valley
2.08 ha high medium low high representative wines of the variety
69 Gard ENTAV 1971 Languedoc
Rhône-Valley
2.18 ha medium medium low to medium medium representative wines of the variety
93 Gard ENTAV 1971 Languedoc
Rhône-Valley
0.26 ha low medium high medium representative wines of the variety
94 Gard ENTAV 1971 Languedoc
Rhône-Valley
low low to medium medium medium representative wines of the variety
97 Gard ENTAV 1971 Languedoc
Rhône-Valley
medium to high high high medium representative wines of the variety
98 Gard ENTAV 1971 Languedoc
Rhône-Valley
0.45 ha high medium to high medium medium representative wines of the variety
175 Gard ENTAV 1972 Languedoc
Rhône-Valley
0.10 ha high medium to high medium medium to high medium to high representative wines of the variety
207 Gard ENTAV 1973 Languedoc
Rhône-Valley
high medium to high medium medium representative wines of the variety
208 Gard ENTAV 1973 Languedoc
Rhône-Valley
0.22 ha low low to medium medium high representative wines of the variety
209 Gard ENTAV 1973 Languedoc
Rhône-Valley
medium medium medium medium representative wines of the variety