Grenache blanc B
Name of the variety in France
Grenache blanc
Origin
This variety corresponds to the white mutation of Grenache and was originally found in the provinces of Barcelona and Tarragona in Spain.
Synonyms
In Spain, Grenache blanc is officially designated as "Garnacha Blanca". This synonym is officially recognized in France regarding plant propagation material.
Legal information
In France, Grenache blanc 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: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece and Spain.
Use
Wine grape variety.
Evolution of cultivated areas in France
1958 1968 1979 1988 2000 2008 2018
ha 8652 9362 16286 12083 6843 4931 5896
From 1958 to 1988 Grenache blanc and gris.
Descriptive elements
The identification is similar to that of Grenache, except for:
- the flower calyptras that are entirely green whereas for Grenache and Grenache gris there is an anthocyanin coloration,
- the berries that are greenish yellow when ripe.
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: 4 days after Chasselas.
Grape maturity: mid-season, 3 weeks and a half after Chasselas.
Suitability for cultivation and agronomic production
This variety appeard less sensitive to coulure than Grenache and is a little earlier. It has a good resistance to wind, an erect bearing and is well adapted to drought conditions (gravelly, stony soils). Like other types of Grenache, Grenache blanc easily shows signs of magnesium deficiency.
Susceptibility to diseases and pests
Grenache blanc is very sensitive to grey rot, phomopsis, downy mildew and bacterial diseases. On the other hand, it is rarely affected by powdery mildew, vine leafhoppers and mites.
Technological potentiality
The bunches are large while the berries are medium in size. Grenache blanc is used to produce sweet wines and also interesting dry white wines with a long after taste, that are ample and full-bodied, but which sometimes lack a bit of acidity.
Clonal selection in France
The four certified Grenache blanc clones carry the numbers 141, 143, 1213 and 1349.
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
141 Aude INRA 1972 Languedoc-Roussillon
Rhône-Valley
8.88 ha medium to high medium medium medium medium medium wines fine on the nose, persistent in the mouth
143 Aude INRA 1972 Languedoc-Roussillon
Rhône-Valley
4.49 ha medium medium medium medium medium medium wines fine on the nose that last in the mouth
1213 Pyrénées-Orientales CA 66 - IFV 2014 Roussillon medium to high medium medium to high low to medium medium medium to high medium to high medium to high balanced wines with good aromatic intensity clone suitable for the production of sweet wines with high sugar and acidity levels more erect bearing and good drought tolerance
1349 Pyrénées-Orientales CA 66 - IFV 2020 Roussillon high medium to high medium medium to high medium medium medium medium representative wines of the variety clone with a higher production level good drought tolerance