Muscadelle

B

Wine grape variety.

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Origin

The geographical origin of the variety is specified or, if this is not possible, the area in which it is traditionally cultivated. The genetic origin of the variety is also indicated whenever it is known from hybridiser data or from genetic analyses published or obtained by the teams at INRAE in Montpellier (UMR AGAP) and Vassal-Montpellier Grapevine Biological Resources Centre (CRB-Vigne).

This variety is probably originally from the south west of France. Muscadelle can be found at trace levels in the center of France (Cher). Based on published genetic analyses, it is seemingly a descendant of Gouais blanc.

Use

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

Wine grape variety.

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.

Muscadelle

Synonymy

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.

Regulatory data

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 "Legislation" menu.

In France, Muscadelle is officially listed in the "Catalogue of vine varieties" on the A list and classified. This variety is also listed in the catalogue of Romania.

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). Regional vine planting data is available on the following site: https://visionet.franceagrimer.fr/Pages/DonneesInteractivesDocs.aspx?sousmenu=observatoire%20de%20la%20viticulture.

Year
ha

1958

6257

1968

5720

1979

3710

1988

2763

1998

2151

2008

1713

2018

1434

Description elements

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 "Ampelographic glossary" menu). 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): - Domaine de l'Espiguette (IFV), Le Grau du Roi (Gard), - Domaine de Vassal (INRAE), Marseillan (Hérault), - La Gaillarde Campus (Institut Agro | Montpellier SupAgro), Montpellier (Hérault). Only a few photographs, including the tips of bunches, were taken in other conditions.

The identification is based on:
- the tip of the young shoot with a high density of prostrate hairs,
- the green young leaves with bronze spots,
- the wedge-shaped adult leaves, entire or with three lobes, an open U-shaped petiole sinus, long teeth compared to their width at the base with straight sides, a low anthocyanin coloration of veins, an involute leaf blade, and on the lower side of the leaves, a medium density of erect hairs and a low density of prostrate hairs, 
- the round-shaped berries.

Genetic profile

The genetic profile of the variety is provided for the 9 microsatellite markers (or SSR markers) selected under the European programme GrapeGen06 (http://www.eu-vitis.de/index.php) and by the OIV. The absolute size values of the alleles may vary slightly from one laboratory to another, but the relative differences between the two alleles of one single microsatellite are constant. The genetic analyses were conducted by the INRAE Montpellier team (UMR AGAP) and the IFV’s Plant Material Centre.

Microsatellite VVS2 VVMD5 VVMD7 VVMD27 VRZAG62 VRZAG79 VVMD25 VVMD28 VVMD32

Allele 1

137

223

239

176

188

238

238

245

261

Allele 2

141

232

239

182

196

252

254

247

271

Cultivation and agronomic skills

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

This vigorous variety must be carefully trained and planted on well exposed plots in order to limit the risks of brotrytis bunch rot.

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.

Muscadelle is susceptible to powdery mildew, wasps, grape moths and very sensitive to grey rot.

Phenology

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: - Bud burst, 21 March (average over 50 years) - Grape maturity, 14 August (average over 50 years)

Bud burst: 11 day after Chasselas.
Grape maturity: mid-season, 2 weeks and a half after Chasselas.

Technological potential

The size of grape clusters and berries indicated are based on the following scales: - Wine grape varieties Size : Very small Bunch (g) : ≤ 100 Berry (g) : 1 - Table grape varieties Bunch (g) : 150 Berry (g) : 2 - Wine grape varieties Size : Small Bunch (g) : 100 - 200 Berry (g) : 1,5 - 2 - Table grape varieties Bunch (g) : 150 - 250 Berry (g) : 2 - 3,5 - Wine grape varieties Size : Moderate Bunch (g) : 200 - 250 Berry (g) : 2 - 2,5 - Table grape varieties Bunch (g) : 250 - 400 Berry (g) : 3,5 - 5,5 - Wine grape varieties Size : Large Bunch (g) : 250 - 400 Berry (g) : 2,5 - 3,5 - Table grape varieties Bunch (g) : 400 - 700 Berry (g) : 5,5 - 8 - Wine grape varieties Size : Very large Bunch (g) : 400 Berry (g) : 3,5 - Table grape varieties Bunch (g) : 700 Berry (g) : 8 Remarks concerning the characteristics of the wines are generally based on tastings organised by juries of professionals.

The bunches and berries are medium in size. Once maturity has been reached, Muscadelle can produce moderately alcoholic, not very acidic and slightly aromatic wines. These wines can sometimes be sensitive to oxidation.

Clonal selection in France

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

The three certified Muscadelle clones carry the numbers 610, 1216 and 1217. A conservatory of almost 90 clones was planted in the Bergeracois region (French department of Dordogne) in 1996. An other conservatory of almost 50 clones was planted in the French department of Lot-et-Garonne in 2006.

Bibliographic references

Bibliography

- 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 approved in France

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

  • Clone number
  • Brand
  • Origin

    Region, department or winegrowing region in which the “clone mother plant” was identified and selected.

  • Selection

    Body or bodies which selected the clone. In France, clonal selection is the responsibility of the selection organisations (themselves accredited by the ministry in charge of agriculture), usually in close collaboration with a technical partner working in a winegrowing region. For clones certified after 1999, the name of the partner or partners who took part in the selection work is also included. (NB: CA = Chamber of Agriculture).

  • Year of approval

    Year in which the clone was certified by the FranceAgriMer board further to a proposal by the Vine section of the CTPS (Permanent Technical Committee for Plant Selection).

  • Agronomic Reference

    Region, department or winegrowing region in which the agronomic and technological data were collected.

  • Surface in multiplication

    Surface area in hectares (ha) of stock nurseries used for propagation for the year under consideration (in brackets), which allows the available potential to be evaluated. Clones with a surface area of between 0.01 and 0.10 ha are shown as <0.10 ha. Clones of limited dissemination, but for which we have technical data, are shown as <0.01 ha. Other clones are given as “low-dissemination clone”, which means that the clone has been certified only recently or has not been propagated. In both cases, only the initial material is planted in the selection centres.

  • B
  • 610

  • Gironde

  • INRA

  • 1979

  • Bordelais

  • 3.09 ha

  • Agronomic Data

  • Fertility medium to high

  • Production level high

  • Cluster weight high

  • Susceptibility to Botrytis medium

  • Technological Data

  • Sugar richness medium

  • Total acidity medium

  • Oenological skills representative wines of the variety

  • B
  • 1216

  • Dordogne

  • CA 24 - IFV

  • 2014

  • Sud-Ouest

  • -

  • Agronomic Data

  • Fertility low to medium

  • Production level low to medium

  • Cluster weight medium

  • Susceptibility to Botrytis medium

  • Technological Data

  • Sugar richness high

  • Total acidity medium

  • Aromatic intensity high

  • Oenological skills well-balanced semi-sweet wines with a high aromatic intensity

  • Other information

  • General note clone suitable for the production of sweet wines with superior noble rot intensity. Appreciated in tasting.

  • B
  • 1217

  • Dordogne

  • CA 24 - IFV

  • 2014

  • Sud-Ouest

  • -

  • Agronomic Data

  • Fertility medium

  • Production level medium

  • Cluster weight medium to high

  • Susceptibility to Botrytis medium

  • Technological Data

  • Sugar richness medium to high

  • Total acidity medium

  • Aromatic intensity medium to high

  • Oenological skills semi-sweet wines with a high gustatory quality

  • Other information

  • General note clone suitable for the production of sweet wines with medium to superior noble rot intensity. Appreciated in tasting.