Sauvignon

Sauvignon 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.

Sauvignon

Origin

The center of France or the South west of France are the 2 possible origins of this variety. Based on published genetic analyses, Sauvignon would be closely related to Savagnin.

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.

In the European Union, Sauvignon is officially called by other names: Sauvignon blanc (Austria, Germany, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Spain) and Zeleni sauvignon (Slovenia). These synonyms are officially recognized in France regarding plant propagation material.

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, Sauvignon 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: Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Greece, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain.

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	5508	8867	7028	12026	19974	24473	30955

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 very high density of prostrate hairs,
- the young leaves that are yellow or yellow with bronze spots,
- the shoots with green internodes,
- the small to medium circular adult leaves, with five lobes, a slightly open to open petiole sinus, medium teeth with convex sides, no anthocyanin coloration of veins, a twisted, blistered leaf blade, curly on the edges, and on the lower side of the leaves, a low density of erect hairs and a low to medium density of prostrate hairs,
- the ellipsoid berries.

Genetic profile

Microsatellite	VVS2	VVMD5	VVMD7	VVMD27	VRZAG62	VRZAG79	VVMD25	VVMD28	VVMD32
Allel 1	131	225	239	172	188	246	240	233	239
Allel 2	149	229	257	186	194	248	248	235	255

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: 7 days after Chasselas.
Grape maturity: mid-season, 2 weeks and a half 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.

Sauvignon is a very vigorous variety and has a tendency to produce a lot of vegetation. This vigor, which can be very intense the first years, needs to be managed by planting in moderately fertile terroirs, by using weak rootstock and also by using adapted pruning techniques. Along with careful trellising and adapted training systems, finding a favorable micro-climate for the grape clusters is necessary.

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.

Sauvignon is very susceptible to grey rot (compact bunches) and wood diseases and sensitive to powdery mildew. It is however not very sensitive to downy mildew.

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 grape clusters and berries are small in size. Sauvignon can produce very elegant dry white wines: very fine, balanced and typical. The bunches and berries are small. Sauvignon produces elegant, fine, balances and typical dry white wines. Its varietal aromas, especially present in the wine during the first years, are quite specific and can present nuances (broom flowers, blackcurrant, boxwood...) depending on the terroir, the vintage and growing conditions. After late harvests or with noble rot, this variety can be used to produce great liqueur wines.

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

The twenty certified Sauvignon clones carry the numbers 107, 108, 159, 160, 161, 240, 241, 242, 297, 316, 317, 376, 377, 378, 379, 530, 531, 619, 905 and 906. Three conservatories with a total of approximately 400 clones were planted in the Bordeaux region and in the Loire valley in 1993, 1994 and 2001.

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.
- Traité général de viticulture, Ampélographie. P. Viala and V. Vermorel, 1901-1909, Ed. Masson, Paris, 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
107		Cher	INRA	1971	Centre Loire-Valley Rhône-Valley	0.84 ha	high	high	high	high	medium	medium	medium		medium		medium	representative wines of the variety
108		Gironde	INRA	1971	Bordelais Centre Languedoc Loire-Valley Rhône-Valley	10.25 ha	medium to high	medium	low to medium	medium to high	low to medium	medium	medium		medium		high	aromatic wines, representative of the vine variety		clone appreciated for its agronomic characteristics and the quality of the wines obtained				En savoir plus
159		Cher	INRA	1972	Bordelais Centre Languedoc Loire-Valley Rhône-Valley	4.47 ha	medium	medium	medium	medium	medium	high	medium to high		high			aromatic wines, sometimes a bit heavy		more divided leaves, red canes
160		Cher	INRA	1972	Bordelais Centre Loire-Valley	0.38 ha	high	high	medium to high	medium	high	medium	low to medium		medium		medium	representative wines of the variety		sometimes difficult maturation in late maturity areas
161		Gironde	INRA	1972	Centre Loire-Valley Rhône-Valley	0.30 ha	high	high	high	high	high	high	low to medium		medium		medium	representative wines of the variety		later maturity clone. Leaves less divided and fairly flat.
240		Loir-et-Cher	ENTAV	1973	Centre Languedoc Loire-Valley Rhône-Valley	1.22 ha	medium	medium	medium	high	high	medium to high	medium		medium		medium	representative wines of the variety		compact bunches. Vigor hard to manage.
241		Loir-et-Cher	ENTAV	1973	Centre Languedoc Loire-Valley	3.35 ha	medium to high	medium to high	medium	high	medium	high	medium		medium		medium and irregular	sometimes slightly light wines		compact bunches. Vigor hard to manage.
242		Loir-et-Cher	ENTAV	1973	Bordelais Centre Languedoc Loire-Valley Rhône-Valley	5.47 ha	medium to high	medium to high	medium	high	medium	medium	medium to high		low to medium		high	balanced wines, representative of the variety		vigor is hard to manage
297		Loir-et-Cher	ENTAV	1973	Centre Languedoc Loire-Valley Rhône-Valley	5.62 ha	medium to high	medium to high	medium	medium to high	medium	medium	medium		medium to high		medium	representative wines of the variety		less compact bunches
316		Gironde	INRA	1973	Bordelais Centre Languedoc Loire-Valley Rhône-Valley	10.76 ha	low to medium	medium	medium	medium to high	medium to high	medium	medium		medium		medium to high	aromatic wines (sometimes with muscaté notes)		clone carrying the leafroll associated virus 2. Appreciated for its agronomic characteristics and the quality of the wines obtained.
317		Gironde	INRA	1973	Bordelais Centre Loire-Valley Rhône-Valley	4.60 ha	medium	medium	medium	medium	medium to high	medium	medium		medium		medium	good typicity in dry and semi-sweet wines		clone carrying the leafroll associated virus 2
376		Loir-et-Cher	ENTAV	1975	Centre Loire-Valley Rhône-Valley	3.75 ha	medium	medium	medium	medium	medium	medium	medium		medium to high		medium	representative wines of the variety
377		Loir-et-Cher	ENTAV	1975	Loire-Valley	0.76 ha	medium	medium					medium					representative wines of the variety
378		Loir-et-Cher	ENTAV	1975	Centre Languedoc Loire-Valley Rhône-Valley	1.58 ha	medium to high	medium to high	medium	medium		medium	low to medium		medium to high		medium to high	representative wines of the variety
379		Loir-et-Cher	ENTAV	1975	Loire-Valley	0.22ha	medium	medium					medium					representative wines of the variety
530		Cher	INRA	1976	Centre Languedoc Loire-Valley Rhône-Valley	1.96 ha	low to medium	low to medium	low to medium	low	medium	high	high		medium		high	aromatic and ample wines		earlier clone, appreciated for its agronomic characteristics and the quality of the wines obtained.
531		Cher	INRA	1976	Bordelais		medium	medium					low to medium		medium		irregular	representative wines of the variety
619		Cher	INRA	1978	Centre Languedoc Loire-Valley	0.29 ha	medium	medium	medium	low	medium	high	low to medium		low to medium		medium to high	representative wines of the variety
905		Gironde	INRA	1987	Bordelais Languedoc	2.18 ha	medium	medium	medium	medium	low to medium	low to medium	medium to high		medium		medium	aromatic, round wines, representative of the variety		clone a little earlier and sometimes irregular depending on the circumstances. Appreciated for its agronomic characteristics and the quality of the wines obtained.				En savoir plus
906		Gironde	INRA	1987	Bordelais Languedoc	0.71 ha	medium	low to medium	low to medium	medium to high	low to medium	low to medium	medium to high		medium		medium to high	very aromatic, round, wines, representative of the variety		clone a little earlier and appreciated for its agronomic characteristics and the quality of the wines obtained.				En savoir plus

Note

PDF export

Catalogue of grapevines cultivated in France