Grolleau N
Name of the variety in France
Grolleau
Origin
This variety is undoubtedly from the Touraine region and based on published genetic analyses, it is probably a descendant of 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, Grolleau is officially listed in the "Catalogue of vine varieties" on the A list and classified.
Use
Wine grape variety.
Evolution of cultivated areas in France
1958 1968 1979 1988 1998 2008 2018
ha 11409 9725 5869 3837 2488 2406 2070
Descriptive elements
The identification is based on:
- the tip of the young shoot with a high density of prostrate hairs,
- the yellow young leaves with bronze spots,
- the shoots with red internodes,
- the large adult leaves, with three or five lobes, an open petiole sinus, large teeth with straight sides, an involute, blistered, sometimes goffered leaf blade, and on the lower side of the leaves, a low density of erect and prostrate hairs,
- the round-shaped berries.
Genetic profile
Microsatellite VVS2 VVMD5 VVMD7 VVMD27 VRZAG62 VRZAG79 VVMD25 VVMD28 VVMD32
Allel 1 131 236 247 172 204 244 240 243 239
Allel 2 141 238 249 178 204 252 254 245 271
Phenology
Bud burst: 1 day before Chasselas.
Grape maturity: mid-season, 2 weeks after Chasselas.
Suitability for cultivation and agronomic production
This fertile variety is susceptible to browning and must be pruned short with a low load. The young shoots are quite sentitive to the wind. This variety has an acceptable production even after spring frost.
Susceptibility to diseases and pests
Grolleau is susceptible to peduncular rot and phomopsis.
Technological potentiality
The bunches and berries are medium in size. Grolleau produces light, not very colored wines with a low alcohol degree. It is especially used for the production of rosé wines (or grey wines) or sparkling wines. It is also used to produce supple and fruity red wines when yields are managed.
Clonal selection in France

The seven certified Grolleau clones carry the numbers 226, 288, 364, 365, 366, 1318 and 1343.

A conservatory of more than 200 clones was planted in the Anjou region in 1996.

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
226 Maine-et-Loire ENTAV 1973 Loire-Valley 0.24 ha clone carrying the leafroll associated virus 2 Little difference between clones 226, 288 and 365 which all show a high level of production.
288 Indre-et-Loire ENTAV 1973 Loire-Valley 0.56 ha Little difference between clones 226, 288 and 365 which all show a high level of production.
364 Indre-et-Loire ENTAV 1975 Loire-Valley low Clone not widely distributed.
365 Indre-et-Loire ENTAV 1975 Loire-Valley 0.24 ha Little difference between clones 226, 288 and 365 which all show a high level of production.
366 Indre-et-Loire ENTAV 1975 Loire-Valley 0.46 ha medium to high medium to high
1318 Val-de-Loire IFV 2019 Val-de-Loire medium medium medium to low medium medium low medium to high medium to high medium medium to high wines appreciated for their olfactory quality Intermediate level of production. This clone seems well adapted to the production of rosé wines Lower sensitivity to Botrytis
1343 Val-de-Loire IFV 2020 Val-de-Loire medium low to medium low medium to high medium to low low high medium to high medium medium to high colorful wines with good aromatic persistence and good overall quality Lower production potential with a lot of millerandage and high level of ripeness Lower sensitivity to Botrytis