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Grenache blanc

B

Wine grape variety.

Grappe
Feuille
Apex
Grappe
Feuille
Apex

Origine & Réglementation

Surfaces cultivées

Description

Caractéristiques

Clones agréés
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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 corresponds to the white mutation of Grenache and was originally found in the provinces of Barcelona and Tarragona in Spain.

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.

Grenache blanc

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.

In Spain, Grenache blanc is officially designated as "Garnacha Blanca". This synonym is officially recognized in France regarding plant propagation material.

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, 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.

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

8652

1968

9362

1979

16286

1988

12083

2000

6843

2008

4931

2018

5896

Éléments de description

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 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.

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

135

223

239

191

188

258

240

243

239

Allele 2

143

238

243

191

188

258

254

243

249
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 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

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

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.

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: 4 days after Chasselas.
Grape maturity: mid-season, 3 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 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

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

The four certified Grenache blanc clones carry the numbers 141, 143, 1213 and 1349.

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

  • 141

  •

  • Aude

  • INRA

  • 1972

  • Languedoc-Roussillon;
    Rhône-Valley

  • 8.88 ha

  • Agronomic Data

  • Fertility medium to high

  • Production level medium

  • Cluster weight medium

  • Vigor medium

  • Technological Data

  • Sugar richness medium

  • Total acidity medium

  • Oenological skills wines fine on the nose, persistent in the mouth

  • B

  • 143

  •

  • Aude

  • INRA

  • 1972

  • Languedoc-Roussillon;
    Rhône-Valley

  • 4.49 ha

  • Agronomic Data

  • Fertility medium

  • Production level medium

  • Cluster weight medium

  • Vigor medium

  • Technological Data

  • Sugar richness medium

  • Total acidity medium

  • Oenological skills wines fine on the nose that last in the mouth

  • B

  • 1213

  •

  • Pyrénées-Orientales

  • CA 66 - IFV

  • 2014

  • Roussillon

  • -

  • Agronomic Data

  • Fertility medium to high

  • Production level medium

  • Cluster weight medium to high

  • Vigor low to medium

  • Berry size medium

  • Technological Data

  • Sugar richness medium to high

  • Total acidity medium to high

  • Aromatic intensity medium to high

  • Oenological skills balanced wines with good aromatic intensity

  • Other information

  • General note clone suitable for the production of sweet wines with high sugar and acidity levels

  • Agronomic note more erect bearing and good drought tolerance

  • B

  • 1349

  •

  • Pyrénées-Orientales

  • CA 66 - IFV

  • 2020

  • Roussillon

  • -

  • Agronomic Data

  • Fertility high

  • Production level medium to high

  • Cluster weight medium

  • Vigor medium to high

  • Berry size medium

  • Technological Data

  • Sugar richness medium

  • Total acidity medium

  • Aromatic intensity medium

  • Oenological skills representative wines of the variety

  • Other information

  • General note clone with a higher production level

  • Agronomic note good drought tolerance

Other partners