Grenache N
Name of the variety in France

Grenache
Origin

This variety was originally from Spain and was introduced to France in the Middle Ages.
Synonyms

In the European Union, Grenache is officially called by other names: Alicante (Italy), Cannonau (Italy), Tocai rosso (Italy), Garnacha Tinta (Spain), Grenache noir (Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia) and Grenache rouge (Greece). These synonyms are officially recognized in France regarding plant propagation material.
Legal information

In France, Grenache 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: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal and Spain.
Use

Wine grape variety.
Evolution of cultivated areas in France

1958 | 1968 | 1979 | 1988 | 1998 | 2008 | 2018 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ha | 24886 | 51931 | 77669 | 86715 | 91619 | 98644 | 82966 |
Descriptive elements

The identification is based on:
- the tip of the young shoot with a low density of prostrate hairs,
- the green and shiny young leaves,
- the shoots with green internodes,
- the adult leaves with teeth with straight sides, no anthocyanin coloration of veins and petioles, a very twisted smooth leaf blade, and on the lower side of the leaves, no or a very low density of erect and prostrate hairs,
- the yellow woody shoots,
- the round-shaped berries.
- the tip of the young shoot with a low density of prostrate hairs,
- the green and shiny young leaves,
- the shoots with green internodes,
- the adult leaves with teeth with straight sides, no anthocyanin coloration of veins and petioles, a very twisted smooth leaf blade, and on the lower side of the leaves, no or a very low density of erect and prostrate hairs,
- the yellow woody shoots,
- the round-shaped berries.
Genetic profile

Microsatellite | VVS2 | VVMD5 | VVMD7 | VVMD27 | VRZAG62 | VRZAG79 | VVMD25 | VVMD28 | VVMD32 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Allel 1 | 135 | 223 | 239 | 191 | 188 | 258 | 240 | 243 | 239 |
Allel 2 | 143 | 238 | 243 | 191 | 188 | 258 | 254 | 243 | 249 |
Phenology

Bud burst: 6 days after Chasselas.
Grape maturity: late-season, 4 weeks after Chasselas.
Grape maturity: late-season, 4 weeks after Chasselas.
Suitability for cultivation and agronomic production

This variety is very vigorous (strong vine trunks), is sometimes sensitive to coulure and can have issues with lignification. Grenache has an erect bearing and must be pruned short in gobelet or cordon. It easily shows symptoms of magnesium deficiency. It is better adapted to slightly acidic, gravel or stony (pebble) terroirs rather than to very limestone white soil.
Susceptibility to diseases and pests

This variety is very sensitive to downy mildew and phomopsis and is rather sensitive to bacterial necrosis, grey rot and vine moths. On the other hand, it is not very susceptible to mites and resists well against, ungrafted, Meloidogyne arenaria nematodes in the sands along the coast.
Technological potentiality

Grenache's bunches are medium to large and the berries are medium in size. It has a very high sugar accumulation potential but the color decreases quickly as the yields increase. Acidity is generally low. Grenache produces sweet wines and very structured, ample and aromatic great wines suited to ageing, provided that they are planted in quality terroirs and that the yields are perfectly managed.
Clonal selection in France

The twenty-six Grenache clones carry the numbers 70, 134, 135, 136, 137, 139, 224, 287, 362, 363, 432, 433, 434, 435, 513, 514, 515, 516, 517, 814, 1064, 1065, 1212, 1270, 1271 and 1272. A conservatory of more than 360 clones was planted in the Côtes du Rhône in 1998.
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
