Grape Varieties White

Question 1

Aligote

Answer 1

Aligote is vigorous vine producing aromatic fruit. It crafts wines with high acidity, medium body and pretty jasmine and vanilla perfume. The variety is a natural Pinot x Gouais Blanc Cross.

Regions: Beaujolais, Bourgogne, Rhone(Diois), Savoie

Question 2

Altesse

Answer 2

This vine is a very shy producer. A 25hl/ha harvest is considered a bumper crop. Fortunately, it is very resistant to rot and can deliver uncompromised clusters despite a long hang time. Genetic research links this grape to Chasselas (which is native to this area surrounding Lake Geneva). Current theory is that Altesse is indigenous to Savoie. The wine has lively acidity with hints of honey and almond. It is full-bodied with spicy aromatics and is long-lived.

Regions: L-R IGP, Savoie

Question 3

Auxerrois

Answer 3

Auxerrois ripens to high sugar and low acid levels and crafts a fairly neurtral white wine. It is a natural Pinot x Gouais Blanc cross and is believed to have originated in Alsace-Lorraine.

Regions: Alsace

Question 4

Bourboulenc

Answer 4

Bourboulenc is a vigorous variet that requires high temperatures to ripen its clusters. It produces wines of moderate alcohol and high acidity with aromas of citrus and smoke. It has been grown in southern France for centuries but is of unknown origin.

Regions: L-R, Provence, Rhone

Question 5

Chardonnay

Answer 5

Chardonnay is a natural Pinot x Gouais Blanc cross indigenous to Bourgogne. The grape achieve high sugar and high extract levels but often run the risk of being low acid. As a wine, Chardonnay displays primary fruit aromas of apple and citrus with secondary and tertiary aromas of butter, nuts, ginger and nutmeg. It is pale white to yellow gold in color depending on age, winemaking practices and its specific terroir.

Synonyms: (Bourgogne) Beaunois; (Jura) Gamay Blanc, Melon d’Arbois, Melon a Queue Rouge; (Loire) Auvernat

Regions: Alsace, Beaujolais, Bourgogne, Champagne, Corsica IGP, Jura, L-R, Loire, Provence, Rhone (Diois), Savoie, South-West

Question 6

Chasselas

Answer 6

Chasselas is an ancient grape variety believed to be native to the area surrounding Lake Geneva in Switzerland. It boasts abundant but inconsistent yields and is fairly neutral grape; on good sites it picks up a distinctive hint of flint or smoke midst a flavor profile of hay and flowers. In the 1800s, French ampelographer Victor Pulliat (1827-1896) developed a way to categorize grape varieties based upon their ripening times. He used Chasselas Dore as the “standard” or “baseline” for all other varities because this grape was one of the most widely planted at that time and could be used as a reference point throughout Western Europe.

Regions: Alsace, Loire, Savoie

Question 7

Chenin Blanc

Answer 7

Chenin is related to Savagnin Blanc, leading to the assumption that it is native to the nothern part of France; however, DNA analysis has determined that Agudelo, a grape said to be native to Galicia in Spain, is a direct match. Research as to its origin is ongoing.

Chenin Blanc is a high-vigor variety that is quite adaptable to different climates and soils. The vine is cold hardy, wind- and disease-resistant. It crafts wines of high acidity and high extract. Because of its susceptibility to botrytis and its ability to retain acidity, it is often made into a sweet wine. Its high extract levels and its bracing acidity enable its wines to age for decades.

Synonyms: (Loire) Gros Pineau, Pineau de la Loire; (SW) Rouchelein.

Regions: L-R, Provence, Rhone, South-West

Question 8

Clairette

Answer 8

Clairette is an extremely vigorous vine believed to have originated in the Herault departement of Languedoc. It perfers warm, rocky, dry sites as a rule and crafts wines that are high in alcohol and low in acidity with delicate hints of apricot, apple, peach, fennel and lime coupled with aromas of acacia and hawthorn. It is prone to oxidation.

Regions: L-R, Provence, Rhone, South-West

Question 9

Colombard

Answer 9

Colombard is a natural Chenin Blanc x Gouais Blanc cross native to the Charente departement in Nouvelle-Aquitatine. The vine is a prolific producer delivering fruit with floral notes, high acidity and high sugar levels.

Regions: Bordeaux, L-R IGP, Loire, South-West

Question 10

Courbu Blanc

Answer 10

This grape matures to high sugar levels; it is made into both dry and sweet wines. Despite its aromatic expression of grapefruit, it is only moderately acidic. It is unrelated to Courbu Noir and seems unrelated to Petit Courbu.

Synonyms: (Spain) Hondarrabi Zuri

Regions: South-West

Question 11

Folle Blanche

Answer 11

Folle Blanche is a productive vine believed to be native to South-West France. It produces a delicately flavored high-acid wine with refreshing notes of citrus and green apple. Interestingly, although Folle Blanche is referred to as Picpoul in Armagnac, it is not the same grape as the Picpoul of Languedoc Fame. Current DNA research has shown that Gouais Blanc is one of its parents.

Synonyms: (Loire) Gros Plant
Regions: Loire,South-West

Question 12

Gouais Blanc

Answer 12

Gouais Blanc is a productive vine producing big clusters with big berries. It was a dominant grape variety during the Middle Ages but is not commercially grown today. Its claim to fame lies in the number of its offspring! Aligote, Auxerrois, Chardonnay, Gamay Noir a Jus Blanc, Melon de Bourgogne, Romorantin, Sacy, Colombard, Folle Blanche, Grolleau Noir, Arbois and Riesling all have Gouais as a parent.

Regions: Champagne

Question 13

Grenache Blanc

Answer 13

Grenache Blanc is a vigorous variety producing fairly full-bodied white wines with low to moderate acidity and good extract. It is prone to oxidation. Look for green apple and pear fruit and white flower aromatics. Grenache Blanc, Gris and Noir share the same DNA fingerprint with different phenotypes or outward expressions of those genes.

Synonyms: (Spain) Garnacha Blanca

Regions: L-R, Provence, Rhone

Question 14

Gringet

Answer 14

Gringet has been grown in Savoie for centuries. Although legend says it was brought to the area by bishops from Cyprus, it could very well be native. It is mid-ripening with floral aromatics, brought acidity and yellow plum fruit.

Regions: Savoie

Question 15

Gros Manseng

Answer 15

Gros Manseng is the larger-berried, thinner-skinned offspring of the Petit Manseng. It delivers high-acid, high-sugar grapes that are crafted into wines accented by citrus and spice. The aromatics are less intense than those of Petit Manseng.

Regions: L-R IGP, South-West

Question 16

Jacquere

Answer 16

This prolific producer could easily deliver a crop of 100 hl/ha each year. It produces lightly perfumed, high-acid whites with hints of wildflower and citrus.

Regions: Savoie

Question 17

Marsanne

Answer 17

Marsanne is an extremely vigorous and hardy vine; it is also a generous producer. Clusters are large, but berries are small. It prefers warm, stony soils that does well on less fertile sites, producing powerful wines with moderate acidity, high alcohol and high extract. Look for aromas of melon and honeysuckle that transition into marzipan and hazelnut. It is believed to be native to the Rhone.

Regions: L-R, Provence, Rhone, Savoie

Question 18

Mauzac Blanc

Answer 18

Mauzac fashions a fairly aromatic, high-acid wine with notes of bruised apple. It is believed to be native to South-West France.

Regions: Bordeaux, L-R, South-West

Question 19

Melon de Bourgogne

Answer 19

Muscadet, officially named Melon de Bourgogne, or Melon for short, hails from Bourgogne. It produces a wine with subtle accents of sea and citrus. It is not related to the Muscat family of grapes, nor does it display any muskiness on the nose or palate. It is hardy, frost-resistant and productive. This grape is a Pinot x Gouais Blanc cross.

Synonyms: (Loire) Muscadet

Regions: Beaujolais, Bourgogne, Loire

Question 20

Molette

Answer 20

This grape is high yielding and fairly neutral; it ripens with high sugar and high acid levels. It has been traditionally incorporated into sparkling wine production in Savoie and is native to that region.

Regions: Savoie

Question 21

Mondeuse Blanche

Answer 21

Mondeuse Blanche is native to Savoie and produces a high-alcohol, low-acid, fairly neutral white. It is best known for its offspring; it crossed with Dureza to produce Syrah, and shares kinship with Viognier

Regions: Savoie

Question 22

Muscadelle

Answer 22

Muscadelle is native to the Gironde/Dordogne area of France. It is not related to the muscat family of grapes, although both its name and flavor profile intimate otherwise. The vine yields generously. It expresses an exuberant grapiness accented by a slightly musky, floral character. Muscadelle claims Gouais Blanc as one of its parents.

Regions: Bordeaux, South-West

Question 23

Muscadet

Answer 23

see Melon de Bourgogne

Question 24

Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc

Answer 24

Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc produces vibrant, aromatic wines with hints of raisin, honey, peach, apricot, mango, orange blossom and musk. There is some debate as to whether the grapee is of Greek or Italian origin, but most still favor Greece as its original homeland. There are pink-, red-, and black-skinned versions. All ripen with high sugar levels, high extract levels and good acidity.

Regions: Alsace, Corsica, L-R, Provence, Rhone

Question 25

Muscat d’Alexandrie

Answer 25

Muscat d’Alexandrie is not as delicate as Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc. Instead, it produces a powerful Musct with intense floral (orange blossom), stone fruit and grape aromas. This variety is a natural cross between Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc and Axina de Tres Bias (a black-skinned table grape).

Regions: L-R, Provence

Question 26

Muscat Ottonel

Answer 26

Muscat Ottonel is a Chasselas x Musct d’Eisenstadt cross. It has less acid, aroma and flavor than many Muscats, but is is an early ripener, which makes it ideal for cool climates.

Regions: Alsace

Question 27

Petit Courbu

Answer 27

This shy producer yields small clusters with small berries and crafts wines that taste of honey and lemon. THere is not believed to be any relationship between Petit Courbu and Courbu Blanc outside of similar nomenclature.

Regions: South-West

Question 28

Petit Manseng

Answer 28

This exotic grape ripens with high sugar and acid levels. The bunches are loose and the berries are thick-skinned, so clusters are often left to partially raisin on the vine through the technique of passerillage in order to craft luscious sweet wines. Look for signature flavors of ripe peaches, honey and cinnamon. Savagnin was one of its parents.

Regions: L-R IGP, South-West

Question 29

Pinot Blanc

Answer 29

Pinot Blanc is native to France and considered a color mutation of Pinot Gris. The vine produces consistant yields of small-berried fruit. It crafts a fairly neutral white of moderate acidity that is accented by subtle notes of apple and almond. Pinot Blanc, Gris and Noir share the same DNA fingerprints with different phenotypes or outward expressions of those genes.

Synonyms: (Alsace) Klevner, Pinot Vrai

Regions: Alsace, Bourgogne Champagne, L-R IGP

Question 30

Piquepoul Blanc (also spelled Picpoul)

Answer 30

Piquepoul is native to southern France and, although a shy producer, thrives in a hot climate. Its name means “lip stinger,” no doubt due to its high acid level. It produces aromatic wines with moderate alcohol. Look for flavors and aromas of green apple and citrus (predominantly lemon). Piquoul Blanc, Gris and Noir share the same DNA fingerprint with different phenotypes or outward expressions of those genes.

Regions: L-R, Provence, Rhone

Question 31

Riesling

Answer 31

Riesling is indigenous to the Rhine Valley and is an offpsring of Gouais Blanc. It is winter hardy and buds late, avoiding spring frost damage. The aromatic grapes ripen with high sugar levels and high acidity. Look for peach, apricot, pineapple, citrus, honeysuckle, iris, linden blossom and jasmine in the glass. When ages, the wines pick up a resinous hint of pine nut or petrol.

Regions: Alsace, L-R IGP

Question 32

Rolle

Answer 32

see Vermentino

Question 33

Romorantin

Answer 33

Although Romorantin buds early, it often has trouble ripening its fruit. At optimal maturity, the grapes craft mineral wines with hints of honey and beeswax; alternatively, the wines can be lean and austere if the grapes are not fully mature. It is grown exclusively in Cour-Cheverny. This is a Pinot Teinturier x Gouais Blanc cross.

Regions: Loire

Question 34

Roussanne

Answer 34

Roussanne suffers from irregular yields and is sensitive to rot and mildew. For these reasons, Marsanne is more popular with growers, but Roussanne is considered the more elegant and aromatic of the two. Roussanne crafts complex age-worthy wines with floral notes, high alcohol (14%) and moderately high acidity. Look for expressive aromas of honeysuckle, quince, apricot, acacia and white peach. DNA research links it genetically to Marsanne; both grapes are believed to be native to the Rhone.

Synonyms: (Savoie) Bergeron

Regions: L-R, Provence, Rhone, Savoie

Question 35

Sacy

Answer 35

Sacy is a natural Pinot x Gouais cross native to Bourgogne or northeastern France. It crafts high-acid, low alcohol wines that tastes of pear.

Synonyms: (Loire) Tressallier

Regions: Bourgogne, Loire

Question 36

Sauvignon Blanc

Answer 36

This vigorous vine, native to the Loire, prefers cool, sunny climates. It produces aromatic wines of bright acidity. It is an unruly and productive vine, which perhaps explains the roots of its name. (Sauvignon is taken from the French word “sauvage” meaning “wild.”) It shares kinship with Savagnin Blanc. Look for hints of gunflint, herb, hay, boxwood, gooseberry, lemongrass, grapefruit, pineapple and blackcurrant leaf.

Regions: Bordeaux, Bourgogne, L-R IGP, Loire, Provence, South-West

Question 37

Savagnin Blanc

Answer 37

Savagnin Blanc is native to northeastern France and southwestern Germany. It delivers a high-acid, high-alcohol wine that is capable of aging. Savagnin Blanc is the parent of many modern-day grape variaties that are in commercial production while itelf demonstrating considerable clonal diversity (in berry color, aromatics, cluster sizes etc.).

DNA research has shown that Savagnin clones possess the same genetic profile, thus Savagnin Rose and Gewurztraminer are not separate and distinct grape varieties; they are variants.

Like Gouais Blanc, Savagnin was widely grown during the Middle Ages and is the parent of many distinctive grape varieties such as Petit Meslier, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Petit Manseng and Sylvaner. There is even a genetic link between Savagnin and Pinot that is currently under study.

Regions: Jura

Question 38

Semillion

Answer 38

Semillion is believed to be native to Sauternes. Its thin-skinned berries are quite susceptible to botrytis and produces wines of moderate aroma, high alcohol, high extract and moderate aroma, high alcohol, high extract and moderate to low acidity with a texturous mouthfeel. In its youth, the wines express pear, apricot, citrus and nut skin but develop more pronounced spice, caramel, lanolin and beeswax characteristics with age. It can be deeply pigmented due to its propensity to oxidize.

Regions: Bordeaux, L-R IGP, Provence, South-West

Question 39

Sylvaner (also spelled Silvaner)

Answer 39

Sylvaner is believed to be native to eastern Austria. It is a grape with little aroma that ripens with high acid levels. It often makes for a palate-cleansing, fairly neutral quaff. On good sites, it can attain a stunningly complex “minerality” and often hints of milled grain and root vegetables. It is a Savagnin Blanc x Osterreichisch Weiss cross. Interestingly, Osterreichisch Weiss is an offspring of Gouais Blanc.

Regions: Alsace, L-R IGP

Question 40

Ugni Blanc

Answer 40

Ugni Blanc, aso known as Trebbiano Toscano is native to Italy. It is easy to grow, vigorous and high yielding. The grapes possess good acidity and craft delicate, neutral whites with subtle hints of citru and almond.

Synonyms: (Italy) Trebbiano Tosacano; (Corsica) Rossola; (Proence) Roussan

Regions: Bordeaux, Corsica, L-R IGp, Provence, Rhone, South-West

Question 41

Vermentino

Answer 41

This is an Italian grape that made its way to the island of Corsica and the south of France. The grape crafts two styles of wine: lively, nervy and aromatic with high-tensil citrus notes and a fat, round style with rich notes of ripe apple, pear and apricot with a touch of sweetgrass. It prefers coastal locations.

Synonyms: (Corsica) Malvoise de Corse; (Provence) Rolle

Regions: Corsica, L-R, Provence, Rhone

Question 42

Viognier

Answer 42

Viognier is a vigorous and hardy vine that can thrive in poor, dry, stony soils. It produces aromatic wines that are high in alcohol and moderate to low in acidity. Look for aromas of peach, apricot, nectarine, honey, musk, ginger and white flowers. This vine is related to Mondeuse Blanche and believed to be native to the Rhone.

Regions: L-R, Provence, Rhone