Folle blanche

Folle blanche B

Name of the variety in France Name under which the variety is officially registered in the catalogue of grapevine varieties in France and under which it may be propagated and disseminated.

Name under which the variety is officially registered in the catalogue of grapevine varieties in France and under which it may be propagated and disseminated.

Folle blanche

Origin

This variety from the west of France is undoubtedly originally from the Charentes region. Based on published genetic analyses, it is probably a descendant of Gouais blanc.

Synonyms

Recognised alternative names that may be used to identify the propagation material of the variety in France or in other member countries of the European Union.

There is no officially recognized synonym in France nor in the other countries of the European Union, for this variety.

Legal information This information indicates on which list the variety is registered (A or B), whether it is classified for wine grapes, and in which member countries of the European Union the variety is also officially registered (for more information, see the <a href="/en/reglementation">"Legislation"</a>menu).

This information indicates on which list the variety is registered (A or B), whether it is classified for wine grapes, and in which member countries of the European Union the variety is also officially registered (for more information, see the <a href="/en/reglementation">"Legislation"</a>menu).

In France, Folle Blanche is officially listed in the "Catalogue of vine varieties" on the A list and classified. This variety is also listed in the catalogues of other Member States of the European Union: Cyprus and Spain.

Use

This information indicates the normal and statutory use for the grapes.

Wine and spirits grape variety.

Evolution of cultivated areas in France

The figures provided are taken from vineyard land registers (IVCC, ONIVIT, ONIVINS), general agricultural censuses (SCEES-INSEE) and the current computerised vineyard register (DGDDI, FAM).<br>
Regional vine planting data is available on the following site: <a href="https://visionet.franceagrimer.fr/Pages/DonneesInteractivesDocs.aspx?sousmenu=observatoire%20de%20la%20viticulture" target="">visionet</a>.

	1958	1968	1979	1988	1998	2008	2018
ha	15865	12104	4296	3566	2862	1979	962

Descriptive elements

<p>Only the principal ampelographic elements enabling the varieties to be characterised and identified are provided. They are presented according to the descriptor code recognised by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), the Community Plant Variety Office (OCVV) and Bioversity International (for more information, see the <a href="/en/vocabulaire">"Ampelographic glossary"</a> menu).<br>
The photographs of leaves and grapes were taken in natural conditions, on the vine, in very similar situations in terms of growing conditions (sandy soil, Mediterranean coast):</p>
<ul>
<li>Domaine de l'Espiguette (IFV), Le Grau du Roi (Gard),</li>
<li>Domaine de Vassal (INRAE), Marseillan (Hérault),</li>
<li>La Gaillarde Campus (Institut Agro | Montpellier SupAgro), Montpellier (Hérault).</li>
</ul>
<p>Only a few photographs, including the tips of bunches, were taken in other conditions.</p>

The identification is based on:
- the tip of the young shoot with a high density of prostrate hairs,
- the adult leaves, with five lobes, deep, open U-shaped lateral sinuses, a closed petiole sinus or with slightly overlapping lobes, short teeth compared to their width at the base with convex sides, a slight to moderate anthocyanin coloration of veins, an involute leaf blade, and the lower of the leaf, a high density of erect hairs and a low density of prostrate hairs,
- the round-shaped berries.

Genetic profile

Microsatellite	VVS2	VVMD5	VVMD7	VVMD27	VRZAG62	VRZAG79	VVMD25	VVMD28	VVMD32
Allel 1	131	223	239	178	196	244	238	245	239
Allel 2	149	232	239	186	196	252	248	257	271

Phenology

<p>The growth stages indicated are the result of obsrvations made at the Domaine de Vassal Estate where the set of these varieties form a collection. The results are indicated compared to the Chasselas vine variety as a reference in order to make comparisons between years and different sites. As such, for information purposes, the dates for the Chasselas B growth stage at Domaine de Vassal are as follows:</p>
<ul>
<li>Bud burst, 21 March (average over 50 years)</li>
<li>Grape maturity, 14 August (average over 50 years)</li>
</ul>

Bud burst: 4 days after Chasselas.
Grape maturity: mid-season, 3 weeks and a half to 4 weeks after Chasselas.

Suitability for cultivation and agronomic production The data on suitability are the result of field observations or, if none are available, of bibliography mining and the study of bibliographic references.

The data on suitability are the result of field observations or, if none are available, of bibliography mining and the study of bibliographic references.

This variety is fertile, productive and has an erect bearing which allows it to be pruned short with limited training. Folle blanche is quite sensitive to spring frosts due to its early budburst.

Susceptibility to diseases and pests These remarks are also the result of field observations or, if none are available, of bibliography mining and study of bibliographic references.

These remarks are also the result of field observations or, if none are available, of bibliography mining and study of bibliographic references.

This variety is very susceptible to grey rot (very compact bunches), black rot and to mites. It is also fairly sensitive to downy mildew and wood diseases.

Technological potentiality

<p>The size of grape clusters and berries indicated are based on the following scales:</p>
<table id="potentiel">
<thead>
<tr>
<td> </td>
<td colspan="2">Wine grape varieties</td>
<td colspan="2">Table grape varieties</td>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Size</td>
<td>Bunch (g)</td>
<td>Berry (g)</td>
<td>Bunch (g)</td>
<td>Berry (g)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Very small</td>
<td>≤ 100</td>
<td>< 1</td>
<td>< 150</td>
<td>< 2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Small</td>
<td>100 - 200</td>
<td>1,5 - 2</td>
<td>150 - 250</td>
<td>2 - 3,5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Moderate</td>
<td>200 - 250</td>
<td>2 - 2,5</td>
<td>250 - 400</td>
<td>3,5 - 5,5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Large</td>
<td>250 - 400</td>
<td>2,5 - 3,5</td>
<td>400 - 700</td>
<td>5,5 - 8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Very large</td>
<td>> 400</td>
<td>> 3,5</td>
<td>> 700</td>
<td>> 8</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Remarks concerning the characteristics of the wines are generally based on tastings organised by juries of professionals.</p>

The bunches and berries are medium in size. Folle blanche wines have a low degree of alcohol and are generally nervy and acidic. In southern areas this acidity drops when completely ripe. When not very affected by grey rot, the wines produced can be used to make excellent spirits. Folle blanche also has a good capacity for making base wine.

Clonal selection in France In this section, the list of certified clones is given. Information on clone conservatories is also provided.

The eleven certified Folle blanche clones carry the numbers 280, 281, 354, 558, 559, 560, 561, 562, 563, 1131 and 1132. A conservatory more than 180 clones was planted in 1993 in the wine-growing region of Nantes. An other conservatory of 70 or so clones was planted in the French department of Charente in 2010.

Bibliographic references The main bibliographical sources are provided.

- 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 In this section, the list of certified clones is given. Information on clone conservatories is also provided.

		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
280		Loire-Atlantique	ENTAV	1973	Loire-Atlantique	0.36 ha	high	medium to high	medium				medium					lively wines, representative of the variety		later maturity clone
281		Vendée	ENTAV	1973	Loire-Atlantique	0.27 ha	medium	medium	medium				medium to high					well representative wines of the variety
354		Non précisée	ENTAV	1975	Loire-Atlantique																Clone not widely distributed.
558		Non précisée	ENTAV	1978	Loire-Atlantique																Clone not widely distributed.
559		Loire-Atlantique	ENTAV	1978	Loire-Atlantique	0.38 ha	high	high	medium to high				medium					well representative wines of the variety
560		Non précisée	ENTAV	1978	Loire-Atlantique																Clone not widely distributed.
561		Non précisée	ENTAV	1978	Loire-Atlantique																Clone not widely distributed.
562		Non précisée	ENTAV	1978	Loire-Atlantique																Clone not widely distributed.
563		Loire-Atlantique	ENTAV	1978	Loire-Atlantique	0.30 ha	medium to high	high	high				low					representative wines of the variety
1131		Maine-et-Loire	IFV	2009	Loire-Valley			low to medium				medium	medium to high		low to medium		medium to high	aromatic wines that last long on the mouth				clone appreciated for its moderate level of production, its lower acidity as well as for the organoleptic qualities of the wines it produces
1132		Loire-Atlantique	IFV	2009	Loire-Valley			medium				medium	medium to high		low to medium		high	aromatic and balanced wines that last long on the mouth				Clone appreciated for the organoleptic qualities of the wines it produces.

Note

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Catalogue of grapevines cultivated in France