Merlot blanc

Merlot blanc B

Name of the variety in France Name under which the variety is officially registered in the catalogue of grapevine varieties in France and under which it may be propagated and disseminated.

Name under which the variety is officially registered in the catalogue of grapevine varieties in France and under which it may be propagated and disseminated.

Merlot blanc

Origin

This variety was developed in the Bordeaux region vineyards. Based on genetic analyses carried out in Montpellier, Merlot blanc would be the result of crossbreeding Folle blanche and Merlot.

Synonyms

Recognised alternative names that may be used to identify the propagation material of the variety in France or in other member countries of the European Union.

There is no officially recognized synonym in France nor in the other countries of the European Union, for this variety.

Legal information This information indicates on which list the variety is registered (A or B), whether it is classified for wine grapes, and in which member countries of the European Union the variety is also officially registered (for more information, see the <a href="/en/reglementation">"Legislation"</a>menu).

This information indicates on which list the variety is registered (A or B), whether it is classified for wine grapes, and in which member countries of the European Union the variety is also officially registered (for more information, see the <a href="/en/reglementation">"Legislation"</a>menu).

In France, Merlot blanc is officially listed in the "Catalogue of vine varieties" on the A list and classified.

Use

This information indicates the normal and statutory use for the grapes.

Wine grape variety.

Evolution of cultivated areas in France

The figures provided are taken from vineyard land registers (IVCC, ONIVIT, ONIVINS), general agricultural censuses (SCEES-INSEE) and the current computerised vineyard register (DGDDI, FAM).<br>
Regional vine planting data is available on the following site: <a href="https://visionet.franceagrimer.fr/Pages/DonneesInteractivesDocs.aspx?sousmenu=observatoire%20de%20la%20viticulture" target="">visionet</a>.

	1958	1968	1979	1988	1998	2008	2018
ha	5275	3662	1905	766	116	71	24

Descriptive elements

<p>Only the principal ampelographic elements enabling the varieties to be characterised and identified are provided. They are presented according to the descriptor code recognised by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), the Community Plant Variety Office (OCVV) and Bioversity International (for more information, see the <a href="/en/vocabulaire">"Ampelographic glossary"</a> menu).<br>
The photographs of leaves and grapes were taken in natural conditions, on the vine, in very similar situations in terms of growing conditions (sandy soil, Mediterranean coast):</p>
<ul>
<li>Domaine de l'Espiguette (IFV), Le Grau du Roi (Gard),</li>
<li>Domaine de Vassal (INRAE), Marseillan (Hérault),</li>
<li>La Gaillarde Campus (Institut Agro | Montpellier SupAgro), Montpellier (Hérault).</li>
</ul>
<p>Only a few photographs, including the tips of bunches, were taken in other conditions.</p>

The identification is based on:
- the tip of the young shoot with a high density of prostrate hairs,
- the green young leaves,
- the circular adult leaves, with five or seven lobes, deep lateral sinuses, an open U-shaped petiole sinus, long teeth compared to their width at the base with straight sides, no anthocyanin coloration of veins, an involute blistered leaf blade, and on the lower side of the leaves, a low to medium density of erect and prostrate hairs,
- the round-shaped berries.

Genetic profile

Microsatellite	VVS2	VVMD5	VVMD7	VVMD27	VRZAG62	VRZAG79	VVMD25	VVMD28	VVMD32
Allel 1	149	223	239	186	194	252	248	227	239
Allel 2	149	234	247	188	196	260	248	245	271

Phenology

<p>The growth stages indicated are the result of obsrvations made at the Domaine de Vassal Estate where the set of these varieties form a collection. The results are indicated compared to the Chasselas vine variety as a reference in order to make comparisons between years and different sites. As such, for information purposes, the dates for the Chasselas B growth stage at Domaine de Vassal are as follows:</p>
<ul>
<li>Bud burst, 21 March (average over 50 years)</li>
<li>Grape maturity, 14 August (average over 50 years)</li>
</ul>

Bud burst: 2 days after Chasselas.
Grape maturity: mid-season, 3 weeks after Chasselas.

Suitability for cultivation and agronomic production The data on suitability are the result of field observations or, if none are available, of bibliography mining and the study of bibliographic references.

The data on suitability are the result of field observations or, if none are available, of bibliography mining and the study of bibliographic references.

Merlot blanc is very fertile, productive and regular. It is susceptible to drought.

Susceptibility to diseases and pests These remarks are also the result of field observations or, if none are available, of bibliography mining and study of bibliographic references.

These remarks are also the result of field observations or, if none are available, of bibliography mining and study of bibliographic references.

Merlot blanc is very susceptible to grey rot. When ungrafted in the sands, it is heavily affected by root-knot nematodes.

Technological potentiality

<p>The size of grape clusters and berries indicated are based on the following scales:</p>
<table id="potentiel">
<thead>
<tr>
<td> </td>
<td colspan="2">Wine grape varieties</td>
<td colspan="2">Table grape varieties</td>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Size</td>
<td>Bunch (g)</td>
<td>Berry (g)</td>
<td>Bunch (g)</td>
<td>Berry (g)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Very small</td>
<td>≤ 100</td>
<td>< 1</td>
<td>< 150</td>
<td>< 2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Small</td>
<td>100 - 200</td>
<td>1,5 - 2</td>
<td>150 - 250</td>
<td>2 - 3,5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Moderate</td>
<td>200 - 250</td>
<td>2 - 2,5</td>
<td>250 - 400</td>
<td>3,5 - 5,5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Large</td>
<td>250 - 400</td>
<td>2,5 - 3,5</td>
<td>400 - 700</td>
<td>5,5 - 8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Very large</td>
<td>> 400</td>
<td>> 3,5</td>
<td>> 700</td>
<td>> 8</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Remarks concerning the characteristics of the wines are generally based on tastings organised by juries of professionals.</p>

The bunches are medium in size and the berries are small. Merlot blanc produces relatively neutral and average quality wines.

Clonal selection in France In this section, the list of certified clones is given. Information on clone conservatories is also provided.

The only certified Merlot blanc clone carries the number 1182.

Bibliographic references The main bibliographical sources are provided.

- 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.

Description of clones certified in France In this section, the list of certified clones is given. Information on clone conservatories is also provided.

		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
1182		Domaine de Vassal	INRA - IFV	2012														representative wines of the variety

Note

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Catalogue of grapevines cultivated in France