Pinot blanc

B

Wine grape variety.

Grappe
Feuille
Apex
Grappe
Feuille
Apex
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 Pinot noir.

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.

Pinot 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 the European Union, Pinot blanc is officially called by other names: Beli pinot (Slovenia), Pinot Bianco (Italy, Malta), Rulandské biele (Slovakia) and Weisser Burgunder (Germany, Austria). These synonyms are 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, Pinot 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: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia and Slovenia.

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

610

1968

812

1979

1491

1988

1565

1998

1503

2008

1262

2018

1280

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 description corresponds to that Pinot noir, except for the skin color of the berries when ripe, which in this case, is greenish-yellow. Moreover, the adult leaves of Pinot blanc often have less lobes than Pinot gris and Pinot noir.

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

225

239

182

188

240

238

216

239

Allele 2

149

236

243

186

194

246

248

235

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.

Pinot blanc is quite vigorous and displays regular productivity (more productive than Pinot gris or Pinot noir). It is a little sensitive to chlorosis and is suited to deep soils, rather hot, stony or not. Pinot blanc is also quite resistant to the cold.

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.

This variety is rather delicate as it is relatively sensitive to the main diseases.

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: 1 day after Chasselas.
Grappe maturity: early-season, 1 week 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 small to medium in size and the berries are small. Pinot blanc can produce pleasant, light-bodied, moderately acidic wines. This variety can also be used to make base wines for sparkling wines.

Clonal selection in France

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

The five certified Pinot blanc clones carry the numbers 54, 55, 1294, 1295 and 1296. A conservatory collection of 200 or so clones was planted in Alsace in 1984. Two other conservatories have been planted: on of 24 clones in the Champagne wine-growing region and one of 14 clones in the French department of Côte-d'Or in 1993.

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
  • 54

  • Haut-Rhin

  • INRA

  • 1971

  • Alsace

  • 3.06 ha

  • Agronomic Data

  • Fertility medium

  • Production level medium

  • Cluster weight medium

  • Technological Data

  • Sugar richness medium

  • Total acidity medium

  • Oenological skills representative wines of the variety

  • B
  • 55

  • Haut-Rhin

  • INRA

  • 1971

  • Alsace

  • 1.39 ha

  • Agronomic Data

  • Fertility low to medium

  • Production level low to medium

  • Cluster weight medium

  • Technological Data

  • Sugar richness medium

  • Total acidity medium

  • Oenological skills representative wines of the variety

  • B
  • 1294

  • Alsace

  • CIVA - IFV

  • 2018

  • Alsace

  • -

  • Agronomic Data

  • Fertility medium

  • Production level low to medium

  • Cluster weight low

  • Vigor medium

  • Berry size medium to high

  • Susceptibility to Botrytis medium

  • Technological Data

  • Sugar richness medium

  • Total acidity medium

  • Aromatic intensity high

  • Oenological skills wines appreciated in tasting for their aromatic and gustatory qualities

  • Other information

  • Agrotecnica note Qualitative clone of regular and average to low production. It is a little more susceptible to rot than the others. <br/>Appreciated in tasting.

  • B
  • 1295

  • Alsace

  • CIVA - IFV

  • 2018

  • Alsace

  • -

  • Agronomic Data

  • Fertility medium to high

  • Production level medium

  • Cluster weight low to medium

  • Vigor medium

  • Berry size low to medium

  • Susceptibility to Botrytis low to medium

  • Technological Data

  • Sugar richness medium to high

  • Total acidity medium to high

  • Aromatic intensity medium to high

  • Oenological skills wines appreciated in tasting

  • Other information

  • General note qualitative clone, of average but rather irregular production. It has a good tolerance to rot. <br/>Appreciated in tasting, it has an interesting profile regarding the sugar/acidity ratio.

  • B
  • 1296

  • Alsace

  • CIVA - IFV

  • 2018

  • Alsace

  • -

  • Agronomic Data

  • Fertility medium

  • Production level low to medium

  • Cluster weight low to medium

  • Vigor low to medium

  • Berry size medium

  • Susceptibility to Botrytis low to medium

  • Technological Data

  • Sugar richness medium to high

  • Total acidity medium

  • Aromatic intensity medium to high

  • Oenological skills wines appreciated in tasting

  • Other information

  • Agrotecnica note Qualitative clone of regular and average to low production. It has a good tolerance to rot. <br/>It is also appreciated in tasting.