BourboulencMain features : a hardy and vigorous variety that ripens between September 25 and October 25. It requires high temperatures (due to its late ripening, it can only be grown in southern regions).
œnological potential : this variety produces fresh, low alcohol, white wines with floral aromas, that are best drunk young.
Use : Châteauneuf-du-Pape (blended with […]
Archives pour la catégorie «Grapes»
Carignan The most widely-planted red wine grape in France is Carignan Planting became widespread in France during the 1960s, when Algeria gained its independence and was no longer an inexpensive source of ripe grapes. Most Carignan is confined to the Languedoc and southeastern France and is gradually being replaced with more distinctive and aromatic varieties.Main […]
Cinsaut (or Cinsault) is most often used as a blending grape with other types, it’s origin is to be found in Languedoc.Main features : Cinsaut is one of those "grower" varieties that easily produces a very large crop of 6 to 10 tons per acre. At this crop level, it shows little flavor distinction. When […]
Clairette Blanche is a white wine grape variety most widely grown in Languedoc Provence and the Rhône.It was often used to make vermouth to which it is suited as it produces wine high in alcohol and low in acidity.It is also grown in South Africa for sparkling wines and Australia.
Main features : extremely vigorous, this […]
GrenacheDifferent colored berries: white grenache blanc, and pink grenache rose or grenache gris
Main features : Grenache noir is the world’s most widely planted grape used to make red wine, sometimes made into a stand-alone varietal, frequently as a rosé, but most often as a backbone of red blends. Used as a component in nearly […]
Macabeo’s or of MacabeuMain features : The most widely cultivated white variety in Roussillon and Languedoc and the most important white grape in the rioja region, where it’s called Viura. It’s because of Macabeo’s higher yields (and not the quality of its wines) that this variety is pushing out the more traditional white grapes used […]
Marsanne :Originating from the northern Rhône region, one of eight white grape varieties allowed in the Côtes du Rhône appellation. Offering greater productivity and intriguingly different aromas, it has gradually taken over the role of blending that traditionally was held in many Rhône appellations by Roussanne. Main features : This grape’s varietal character has little […]
MourvèdreAlso called mataro Mourvèdre as a cultivated wine variety originated in Spain, where it is called monastrell. Prior to the late Nineteenth Century phylloxera devastation, mourvèdre was also widely planted in Southern France. Main features : There are contradictions and anomalies in the growth characteristics and properties of mourvèdre vines. Mourvèdre is a […]
MuscatOf the four principal varieties of the muscat grape, including Muscat of Alexandria, Muscat Blanc, Muscat Hamburg, and Muscat Ottonel, the most widely propagated and also most representative of the family character is Muscat Blanc, known as Muscat Frontignan in France and Moscato di Canelli in Italy.Each muscat produces, with subtle variation, wines with the […]
PicpoulKnown for a long time in Languedoc, an old variety. Called picpoul, picpouille, picapulla, picapoll, avillo en Spain. Main features : Average compact bunch of grape, average white/grey very juicy berries.Oenological potential: Imparting a rich bouquet of flowers and fruit and an elegant, delicate structure with little tannin..and a lovely acidity level.Use: Found in blending […]
Roussanne :probably gets its name from the light-brownish russet cast of its ripe berries. Main features : of average vigour, this vine variety ripens in September. A delicate variety with considerable finesse, it prefers warm, stony well-drained soils, poor and arid hillsides, or stony, silt-limestone soils. Roussanne gives irregular yields and tends to uneven and […]
Syrah
Syrah is the only grape used to make the famous Rhône wines of Côte Rotie and Hermitage, but also forms the backbone of most Rhône blends, including Chateauneuf du Pape.Main features : Syrah : Although cultivated since antiquity, syrah is indigenous to France. a genetic cross of two relatively obscure varieties, mondeuse blanc and […]
Ugni Blanc or TrebbianoA very important white-wine grape, not because it produces great wines, but because it’s so extensively planted. Estimates indicate that Trebbiano produces more wine than any other variety in the world. However, these rather neutral wines have high acidity, medium alcohol and very little discernible aroma or flavor.
The Ugni Blanc […]
Rolle or Vermentino Vermentino is a late-ripening white grape originating in Spain and now widely planted in and the coastal arc running from Spain to Italy, in southern France, around Nice. It is thought to be related to the Malvasia variety and to have been have been brought to Italy in the fifteenth century during […]
Viognier Main features: Northern Côtes du Rhône is its homeland,The major drawback of the viognier grape is that it is a very shy producer and somewhat difficult to grow. Although drought tolerant, it is easily infected with powdery mildew in damp conditions or humid climates. Like many other varietals, viognier must be harvested at its […]
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