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.
- 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.
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.
- 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
