Gamay N
Name of the variety in France

Gamay
Origin

This variety is originally from Bourgogne (Burgundy). Based on published genetic analyses, it would be the result of a crossbreeding between Pinot noir and Gouais blanc.
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, Aligoté 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: Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain.
Use

Wine grape variety.
Evolution of cultivated areas in France

1958 | 1968 | 1979 | 1988 | 1998 | 2008 | 2018 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ha | 37806 | 36257 | 33869 | 33620 | 36653 | 35084 | 23650 |
Descriptive elements

The identification is based on:
- the tip of the young shootwith a low to medium density of prostrate hairs,
- the yellow young leaves with bronze spots,
- the shoots with red internodes,
- the circular adult leaves, entire or with five lobes, with an open V-shaped petiole sinus, short teeth compared to their width at the base with straight sides, an involute leaf blade, and on the lower side of the leaves, a very low density of erect and prostrate hairs,
- the short ellipsoid berries.
- the tip of the young shootwith a low to medium density of prostrate hairs,
- the yellow young leaves with bronze spots,
- the shoots with red internodes,
- the circular adult leaves, entire or with five lobes, with an open V-shaped petiole sinus, short teeth compared to their width at the base with straight sides, an involute leaf blade, and on the lower side of the leaves, a very low density of erect and prostrate hairs,
- the short ellipsoid berries.
Genetic profile

Microsatellite | VVS2 | VVMD5 | VVMD7 | VVMD27 | VRZAG62 | VRZAG79 | VVMD25 | VVMD28 | VVMD32 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Allel 1 | 131 | 232 | 239 | 178 | 194 | 244 | 238 | 216 | 239 |
Allel 2 | 135 | 236 | 249 | 186 | 204 | 246 | 238 | 245 | 271 |
Phenology

Bud burst: same as Chasselas.
Grape maturity: early-season, 1 week and a half after Chasselas.
Grape maturity: early-season, 1 week and a half after Chasselas.
Suitability for cultivation and agronomic production

Gamay is a low vigor variety, weak but fertile. Its production must be managed because it tends to become depleted (particularly in highly fertile soils in warm climates). It is sometimes sensitive to millerandage under adverse weather conditions at flowering time. It is an early variety, sensitive to heat. Gamay has a semi-erect to erect bearing and sould be pruned short. Following a spring frost, the shoots from the secondary buds are relatively fruitful. It tends to produce a high number of grappillons.
Susceptibility to diseases and pests

Gamay is sensitive to grey rot, phomopsis, wood diseases, grape moths and grapewine yellows.
Technological potentiality

The bunches are small, rather compact and the berries are medium in size. This variety produces, with the maceration of whole clusters, warm, fruity, moderately colored but not very tannic wines. This variety also produces elegant and fruity rosés.
Clonal selection in France

The are thirty-eight certified Gamay clones carry the numbers 102, 105, 106, 166, 167, 222, 282, 283, 284, 285, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359, 426, 427, 428, 488, 489, 490, 509, 510, 511, 512, 564, 565, 615, 616, 656, 657, 787, 1060, 1108, 1109, 1169, 1170 and 1227. A conservatory of 415 clones was planted in 2006 in the French department of Rhône. To this was added 510 supplementary clones in 2010.
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.
- 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
