French grape varieties

 

Black Grape Varieties

Black grape varieties have a light colored pulp like white varieties. It is their dark colored skin that contains the grape’s pigments and tannins that will be imparted to the wine during fermentation. Some varieties are more heavily pigmented or tannic than others, which affects the wine that is produced from them.

Cabernet franc
The shining star of Loire reds, the robust and early-ripening Cabernet Franc does not have much in common with the similarly named Cabernet Sauvignon. In Bordeaux, and Southwestern France in general, it is a very important blending grape. France is the top producer of Cabernet Franc and cultivates 36,000 of the 45,000 hectares planted worldwide, but this variety can also be found in northern Italy and Australia. Its tannins are softer than those of Cabernet Sauvignon, which makes it more delicate and velvety when young. Its most typical expression can be found in the Loire, specifically in Bourgueil or Chinon. As far back as the era of the epicurean Rabelais, people have loved its aromas of raspberry, cherry and licorice and its balance of delicate, supple tannins. It can also be cellared very effectively.
Where is this variety grown?
Bordeaux, Charentes, Sud-Ouest, Val de Loire

Cabernet sauvignon
Not much needs to be said, as Cabernet Sauvignon has become well known worldwide. It comes primarily from Médoc, where its optimum expression can be obtained by blending it with Merlot. Though it has characteristic green pepper aromas, winemakers have learned to balance its tannins and their aging to procure other nuances such as blackcurrant, leather, cedar, spices and black fruit. This aromatic complexity and the aging potential provided by its firm tannins have earned it worldwide recognition through the wines of Bordeaux. It is also often used to produce Vins de Pays, and it is successfully fermented on the grape pulp in areas like Languedoc to produce a wine that is excellent consumed young. At least 170,000 hectares worldwide are planted in Cabernet Sauvignon, from Moldavia to South Africa. This late-ripening variety is resilient, but requires a warm climate to reach optimum ripeness. In France, it is not produced further north than Bordeaux.
Where is this variety grown?
Bordeaux, Charentes, Languedoc - Roussillon, Provence, Sud-Ouest, Val de Loire

Carignan
Carignan is a variety that has suffered greatly from image problems. As it has naturally high yields, it has long been used for mass produced wines and lower quality table wines. Today however, its strengths are coming to the forefront. It is frost-resistant, but must be planted in warm climates as it has a long growing season and may not ripen fully otherwise. It is thus well-suited for the Mediterranean coast. When its yields are kept to 30-70 hl/ha, this Spanish variety, which is still found in Priorat, produces superb wines that add good acidity and depth of color when blended with varieties like Grenache. When produced on the best terroirs, it is a good choice for vineyards with pronounced characteristics such as Fitou in Roussillon, Corbières or Côtes de Provence. Its also has desirable aromas, offering red fruit, spices and garrigue (Mediterranean brushlands) with supple tannins. With 160,000 hectares in production worldwide, it can be found as far away as Western Bengal.
Where is this variety grown?
Languedoc - Roussillon, Provence, Vallée du Rhône


Cinsaut
Often blended with Carignan, Cinsaut also has been tagged with a poor reputation, as it was formerly produced in mass quantities. Today, Cinsaut is only planted on 45,000 hectares worldwide, of which 30,000 are in France, and its yields are kept low to obtain more fragrant, balanced wines. It is often used in the production of Mediterranean rosés such as those of Provence. Its delicious aromas of peach, raspberry and strawberry are ideal for summer rosés with mellow flavors and a touch of acidity. It delivers its best results on nutrient-poor, dry soils. When blended with Grenache and Syrah, however, it becomes an excellent red variety, included in appellations such as Minervois, Lirac and the famous Châteauneuf du Pape. Wines produced from Cinsaut are not particularly dense in color, but lend suppleness and balance to blends by balancing out the high alcohol content of Grenache and the astringency of Carignan.
Where is this variety grown?
Languedoc - Roussillon, Provence, Vallée du Rhône

Gamay
Another name for Gamay is Gamay Beaujolais, which is a clear sign that the variety and the region are inseparable. A full 60% of the world’s Gamay is planted in Beaujolais, where it derives excellent expression from the nutrient-poor, acidic granite soils. It is also found in Burgundy and in the Loire Valley, and the northern climates suit it well. Its array of fruity, fresh aromas include blackberry, cherry, strawberry, and gooseberry, and it can be characterized as mischievous, impish and charming. Its light tannins leave its fruit to dominate, accented by a touch of acidity that makes it pleasant to drink cool with everyday meals. Beaujolais Nouveau is especially delicious this way and is designed to be a wine of pleasure and celebration.
Where is this variety grown?
Beaujolais, Bourgogne, Jura - Savoie, Sud-Ouest, Val de Loire

Grenache
Originally from Aragon, which dominated the Mediterranean in the Middle Ages, Grenache is one of southern France’s noble grape varieties. As it is susceptible to disease, the windy climates of Languedoc and the Rhone Valley help keep it healthy. Covering approximately 100,000 hectares, Grenache is grown in all of the appellations on the Mediterranean coast. It thrives in warm, nutrient-poor, gravelly soils. Although Vins Doux Naturels (Natural Sweet Wines) are its hallmark due to its naturally high sugar content, it is used to produce numerous Vins de Pays and other designations, often blended to perfection with Syrah. Deeply colored, powerful and generous, Grenache offers aromas of red fruit, plum and spices and with age delivers hints of mocha, chocolate and tobacco.
Where is this variety grown?
Languedoc - Roussillon, Provence, Vallée du Rhône

Grolleau
Best known for the off-dry Rosés d’Anjou, Grolleau is now used to produce delicate, fruity red wines and the wines of the Rosé de Loire AOC as well as the Saumur AOC’s sparkling wines. It offers aromas of violet and small red fruit such as gooseberry. On the palate, Grolleaus are always pleasant and fruity with delicate aromas and a subtle tannic structure. They are best enjoyed young.
Where is this variety grown?

Merlot
Who would have predicted that a variety that was considered second-rate until the 19th century would have such a promising future? With 190,000 hectares planted worldwide and 100,000 in France alone, this variety has become a king of the international world of wine. From Bordeaux to Adelaïde, Santa Helena to Mendoza, it adapts perfectly to a very diverse range of growing conditions and climates. Some say, however, that it is in the small village of Pomeral that Merlot is really at its best. A hearty and early-ripening variety, it ripens well in Bordeaux in the deep, cool soils of Libourne. Merlot has many fine points: a beautiful deep red color, a delicious array of aromas, including lightly spiced red fruit and plums, and a powerful but delicate structure with tannins that are velvety, but still present. Considering that it complements Cabernet Sauvignon, and is often blended with that variety, it is clear that Merlot has still has a promising future ahead.
Where is this variety grown?
Bordeaux, Charentes, Languedoc - Roussillon, Sud-Ouest

Mourvèdre
Originating in Provence in the 14th century, this grape variety spread in large quantities to Spain, perhaps because Provence was under Catalan rule. Today, with 7,500 hectares in cultivation in France, it remains an important variety in Provence and Languedoc. As it has a long growing season, and needs warm falls to ripen properly, it is naturally well suited for the coastal vineyards of Cassis, Bandol and Côtes de Provence. Mourvèdre’s yields are low, and it produces concentrated grapes with firm tannins. Thus, it is often used in blends to lend structure. Deeply colored, it has good aging potential that allows certain wines such as the Bandol AOC’s reds to be successfully cellared. Its primary aromas include pepper, game, truffles and black fruit. Of the 85,000 hectares of Mourvèdre planted worldwide, Spain cultivates 85%.
Where is this variety grown?
Languedoc - Roussillon, Provence, Vallée du Rhône

Pinot noir
Cultivated by the Gauls before the Roman invasion, Pinot Noir has always been right at home in Burgundy. It has since been planted in Alsace, Germany and even in the coolest parts of Spain or in the U.S. state of Oregon. Temperamental, frost and disease-sensitive and an early ripener, it is like an exceptionally gifted but difficult child. However, its short growing season is a benefit in northern regions where the warm weather ends quickly. In Burgundy, the climate is ideal for Pinot Noir and it produces spectacular wines that are complex, well-balanced and rich in aromas. It is also the only red variety grown in Burgundy and yields an astoundingly diverse range of expressions. With 25,000 hectares of the 60,000 planted worldwide, France is the largest producer of Pinot Noir. Though its color is not particularly intense, its long-lasting finish and delicate aromas make it a highly sought-after variety. With small red fruit, cherry, kirsch, leather, underbrush and gamy aromas, Pinot Noir is unquestionably a safe bet. Its light tannins and silky, melting texture make it a pleasure to drink, and it can be successfully cellared as well.
Where is this variety grown?
Alsace, Bourgogne, Champagne, Jura - Savoie, Val de Loire

Sciacarello
This is the most robust of Corsica’s reds, and only exists on the island. Its name, which means "crunchy between the teeth", refers to its crunchy pulp of the grape itself. It offers excellent expression when grown on Corsica’s granite soils and is widely cultivated on the western portion of the island, from Ajaccio to Sartène. Well ripened by the Mediterranean sun, it produces an elegant, powerful wine with full tannins and aromas of pepper and spices. It is grown on approximately 1,500 hectares.
Where is this variety grown?
Corse

Syrah
Legend has it that Syrah was brought back from the Crusades in 1224 after a long voyage from the Iranian city of Shiraz, but experts are still debating this theory. However, this grape variety found just what it needed in the Rhone Valley to flourish. Not highly fertile, with a long growing season, Syrah thrives on nutrient-poor, dry soils like those found on the steep slopes of the Côte Rôtie, and the Rhone climate suits it well. Cultivation of Syrah has recently dramatically increased in France, now totaling 45,000 hectares and overflowing from the Rhone Valley into Languedoc and Provence. It is also a very popular variety for producing Vins de Pays. Deeply colored, wines made from Syrah make an impression with their smoky, peppery aromas enveloping hints of violet, blackberry and blueberry. But their excellently balanced tannins, both powerful and velvety, seduce connoisseurs as well. France currently cultivates approximately 70% of the world’s Syrah.
Where is this variety grown?
Languedoc - Roussillon, Provence, Sud-Ouest, Vallée du Rhône

Tannat
For a long time, this tannic grape variety was responsible for giving the wines of the Southwest their rustic and unsophisticated reputation. However, with improved winemaking technology and the efforts of passionate, ambitious winegrowers, Tannat has regained its reputation as a noble grape variety. A hearty grape, it produces deeply colored, powerful wines and its tannins can be tamed to be more smooth and round while retaining their aging potential. Tannat is the leading grape variety of the Madiran appellation in southern Aquitaine, but it is also found in the neighboring AOCs of Béarn and Tursan as well as in the Côtes de Saint Mont VDQS.
Where is this variety grown?
Sud-Ouest, Val de Loire

White grape varieties

Aligoté
Cultivated in Burgundy, Aligoté nearly disappeared altogether when Chardonnay took the region by storm, but managed to stand its ground and win back support. It is a hardy, early-ripening variety that thrives on steep lands and is planted on a total of 1,700 hectares. Outside of Burgundy, it can be found in Jura and Savoie as well as in Romania. Yields must be limited for Aligoté in order to maintain quality. It produces light, fresh white wines with more lively acidity than Chardonnay. It is particularly well suited for use in kir cocktails. In the Hautes Côtes de Beaune it is quite lively, while in Saint Bris it offers more subtle nuances with notes of elder flower, almost like Sauvignon Blanc. An interesting fact is that in 1997, it was added to the authorized grape varieties for the Bouzeron communal appellation.
Where is this variety grown?
Bourgogne

Chardonnay
Chardonnay no longer needs much of an introduction, as is has become one of the world’s top grape varieties. It is highly adaptable, but its aromatic power and its acidity, an indication of its balance and aging potential, are most pronounced in northern vineyards. It is no accident that the best Chardonnays are produced in Burgundy, and especially in Montrachet. However, they can also be found in Champagne and Languedoc in Vins de Pays, where they are meant to be enjoyed young, or even further south in the Loire Valley, in the Limoux AOC or in the New World. Chardonnay is highly susceptible to spring frosts but always yields fine, elegant wines with a large, complex array of aromas. Notes of lime-blossom, peach, pear, acacia honey, fern and citrus combine to thrill the senses.
Where is this variety grown?
Alsace, Bourgogne, Champagne, Jura - Savoie, Languedoc - Roussillon, Provence, Val de Loire

Chenin
First introduced in the Angers region in the 11th century, it then spread to Touraines and eventually throughout the central valley of the Loire. This delicate grape variety is susceptible to molds and is often cultivated on the warmest hillside lands where it can produce excellent sweet wines with the assistance of noble rot. It is cultivated on a total of approximately 10,000 hectares, and can also be found in the Crémant de Limoux sparkling wines produced in Languedoc. However, it has truly proved its merit in the Loire Valley, producing a large range of white wines, from dry to sweet to sparkling. Coteaux du Layon, Vouvray and. Savennières are all produced from Chenin Blanc. Often blended with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, it contributes to the aromatic complexity of Loire Valley wines. It is characteristically delicate and fruity with citrus, pear and quince aromas in the dry whites and honey and fruit preserves in the sweet wines.
Where is this variety grown?
Languedoc - Roussillon, Sud-Ouest, Val de Loire

Gewurztraminer
This white grape variety is actually pink. Related to the renowned Savagnin of the Jura region, Gewürztraminer is Alsace’s star variety. It is highly aromatic and hardy, but early ripening and subject to spring frosts. Only 2,600 hectares are planted in France for the production of dry wines, but these offer powerful aromas of litchi, rosewood, gingerbread and citrus zest. They also have a characteristic golden color, imparted the tinted skin of the grapes, that is slightly darker than that of most white wines. On the palate, these wines are full, rich and very powerful. When noble rot takes hold, exuberant aromas of honey, dried apricots and rose petal jam emerge.
Where is this variety grown?
Alsace

Marsanne
France is the birthplace of Marsanne, cultivating a total of 2,000 hectares, which accounts for 60% of production worldwide. Most of this is grown in the Rhone Valley and used to make Saint Joseph and Hermitage AOC wines. Marsanne ripens slowly and is susceptible to disease, but has good yields. Its best aromas emerge when it is planted in nutrient-poor granite soils. Wines made from Marsanne are low in acid and have richer aromas than Grenache Blanc. It offers hawthorn aromas in the nose and essences of stone fruit and honey on the palate. Often blended with Roussanne and other local varieties, Marsanne contributes to the aromatic richness of Rhone Valley whites.
Where is this variety grown?
Languedoc - Roussillon, Provence, Vallée du Rhône

Mauzac
Between Toulouse and Albi lies a beautiful region at the heart of the Southwest that is home to the Mauzac variety. This aromatic, late-ripening grape is resistant to spring frosts, but vulnerable to some diseases, as well as dust mites and grape worms. However if it is carefully cultivated and yields are kept low, it produces very delicate white wines, especially in the Gaillac and Limoux AOCs where it has been blended with Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay to make the Blanquette de Limoux sparkling wine since 1530. It remains a minor variety in France with only 3,500 hectares in production, but in the Southwest, it provides delicious wines with aromas of baked apple, white peach and pear and a spicy finish.
Where is this variety grown?
Languedoc - Roussillon, Sud-Ouest

Melon
From Burgundy to the mouth of the Loire, this variety is quite widespread. Although it has been largely replaced by Chardonnay in Burgundy, it has been cultivated in the Loire Valley since the Middle Ages. Today, its is the only variety used in the Muscadet AOC, where the mild spring nights keep it out of danger from frosts. Of the 14,000 hectares in production worldwide, 90% are located in the area around Nantes. Melon produces very clear white wines with glints of green and notes of iodine that pair perfectly with oysters and seafood. Its white flower and citrus aromas are supported by a nice balance of liveliness and roundness, especially when the wine is aged on its lees for several months, as is often the case in the Muscadet sur Lie AOC.
Where is this variety grown?
Val de Loire

Muscat blanc
Out of the many types of Muscats, Muscat Blanc is the most widespread, with 45,000 hectares planted worldwide, only 6,500 of which are in France. From Alsace to Banyuls or Cape Corsica, this mythical Mediterranean variety produces both dry white wines and Vins Doux Naturels (Natural Sweet Wines). Early-ripening and hardy, it can be harvested early as well. However, its susceptibility to disease and to sugar wasps actually make it quite fragile. Muscat Blanc thrives in stony, nutrient-poor soils in areas where the summer heat is tamed by the geography, producing delicious wines like the Saint Jean de Minervois Vin Doux Naturel, which is both fresh and sweet. Easily recognizable, Muscat offers powerful aromas of rose, lemon balm and white flowers. In dry wines, it can also be identified by its slightly bitter finish, which makes it quite thirst-quenching.
Where is this variety grown?
Alsace, Corse, Provence

Petit Manseng
In southern Aquitaine near the Pyrenees, Petit Manseng is the grape variety of choice for producing quality white wines. It is sometimes harvested at the first snows in the Jurançon appellation, where noble rot facilitates the production of sweet wines that are highly aromatic and concentrated, but also very delicate. They are sensitive to spring frosts and disease and require careful tending, but in return they offer complexity and excellent balance, as their acidity is tempered by their fullness. Their wide range of aromas include honey, cinnamon, white flowers peaches and citrus, and they play an important role in the region’s blended white wines. Exported by the Basques as far away as Uruguay, Ugni Blanc is gaining popularity in France, yet still covers only around 600 hectares.
Where is this variety grown?
Sud-Ouest

Pinot gris
A blue gray color when ripe, this renowned grape variety is present only in Alsace. It is also widely cultivated in Italy (Pinot Grigio). It receives excellent sun exposure on the mountainside vineyards of the Vosges, allowing it to over ripen and develop noble rot (Botrytis cinerea). Wine made from Pinot Gris is both powerful and distinguished, due to its compatibility with the region’s soils. With its complex aromas and occasional smoky notes, it has enough acidity to age gracefully. Its power allows it to take the place of a red and accompany a wild game dinner, and it is one of the few varieties authorized for Alsace’s Grand Crus.
Where is this variety grown?
Alsace

Riesling
Riesling has long had close ties with the Rhine River. And though Riesling can now be found in California and Australia, the two still remain inseparably linked. Imported during Roman times, Riesling has been cultivated in Alsace since the 9th century and now covers about 3,400 acres. A late-ripener, it requires good sun exposure and nutrient-poor pebbly soils in order to ripen properly. It resists winter frosts and is thus well suited for Alsace. Wines made from Riesling grapes have a complex array of intense aromas, especially when the vineyards are located on schistous soils. Their strong acidity allows them to age well, but it is also balanced by intense fruit aromas and roundness on the palate. Their characteristic aromas include flowers, fruit preserves, peach and lime-blossom, and these are magnified by the acidity, making the wines particularly elegant. Some years, the presence of noble rot allows fine sweet wines to be produced.
Where is this variety grown?
Alsace

Rolle ou Vermentinu
Rolle, or Vermentino as it is called in Corsica, is riding the current wave of demand for full-bodied, fragrant white wines to accompany grilled fish and Mediterranean cuisine. Cultivated mostly in Provence and Corsica, it also can be found in Languedoc. Of the 7,000 hectares planted worldwide, nearly 3,000 are in France, but it is most common in Italy. Often pale in color, Corsican Vermentino is full bodied and viscous on the palate with fruit and floral aromas of white flowers, melon, anise and mimosa zest. In Provence, it offers notes of citrus and lime-blossom. Rich in sugar, the grapes can also be eaten chilled.
Where is this variety grown?
Corse, Provence, Vallée du Rhône

Roussanne
A difficult and unpredictable grape variety, Roussanne nevertheless is worth the trouble for winemakers. It is disease-prone, sometimes slow to ripen and offers low yields. However, it thrives in the excellent sun exposure of Savoie and the Rhone Valley and many winemakers are starting to cultivate it for its unique qualities. Grown on only 1,000 hectares worldwide, of which 60% are in France, it offers aromas of honey, hawthorn and apricot. It is often used in Rhone Valley blends to add acidity and intensity to Marsanne, the region’s top white variety. It is also grown in Tuscany.
Where is this variety grown?
Languedoc - Roussillon, Vallée du Rhône


Sauvignon blanc
Before spreading to the rest of the world, Sauvignon Blanc proved its merit in Bordeaux. Blended with Sémillon, it established the reputation of the wines of Graves, and more recently it was the variety that helped the Entre Deux Mers AOC make a comeback. It is also grown on the excellent limestone soils of Sancerre, and as it adapts easily to different lands, was introduced to Languedoc as well, putting that region’s Vins de Pays on the map. The surface area planted in Sauvignon Blanc is rapidly increasing with 20,000 hectares in France and 45,000 worldwide. Recent advances in winemaking technology have revealed techniques to help release its aromas, so today’s Sauvignon Blanc wines offer an exceptional balance between aromatic intensity (blackberry leaf, grapefruit, boxwood, citrus, and narcissus), roundness on the palate and liveliness, which makes them top sellers, whether in AOC wines or Vins de Pays.
Where is this variety grown?
Bordeaux, Bourgogne, Languedoc - Roussillon, Provence, Sud-Ouest, Val de Loire, Vallée du Rhône

Sémillon
This major Bordeaux variety is hardy, with high yields and is resistant to most diseases. However, at the end of the growing season, it easily becomes infected with molds in damp climates. In the microclimate of Sauternes, with its dry, sunny days, it is a perfect candidate for noble rot, which is necessary for the production of sweet wines. Of the 35,000 hectares planted worldwide, 40% are located in Bordeaux and in Aquitaine, where they thrive in the long sunny fall weather. Blended with Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle, Semillon is Bordeaux’s signature white wine, used in the famous Pessac-Léognan and Sauternes AOCs. More subtle than Sauvignon Blanc, it is less acidic and brings fullness as well as notes of dry fruit, almonds, pear and honey to the blends.
Where is this variety grown?
Bordeaux, Charentes, Sud-Ouest, Val de Loire

Ugni-Blanc
Originally from Italy, Ugni Blanc is a significant white grape variety in France, with approximately 100,000 hectares of vineyards. It produces excellent white wines that are made to be distilled into Armagnac and Cognac. For several decades now, it has also been used to create aromatic, dry whites that are classified under the Vin de Pays designation. It exists to a lesser extent in AOCs such as Cassis, Bordeaux and Côteaux d’Aix. Sensitive to winter frosts, Ugni Blanc thrives in mild climates. In more northern climates like that of Cognac, it produces an acidic wine that is low in alcohol and ideal for distillation. However, in warmer areas, Ugni Blancs are fresh, fragrant and highly thirst-quenching. In Provence, Ugni Blancs are silky smooth with complex notes of pine resin, quince and lemon.
Where is this variety grown?
Champagne, Charentes, Provence, Sud-Ouest, Vallée du Rhône

Viognier
Viognier has long been cultivated on the impassable terraces of Condrieu and Château Grillet in the Northern Rhone. It is not easy to grow, and its yields are low, but its exceptional aromas have nevertheless won over many winemakers around the globe. Though it remains a minor variety, it is quite in fashion in many wine-making countries. In France, it has spread from the Parisian Basin to Languedoc and the Southern Rhone. Full on the palate and low in acid, Viognier is characterized by its delicate aromas of apricot, white peach, spices, honey and white flowers. It has undergone a remarkable increase in popularity in France since the 1980s with the emergence of the Vin de Pays designation. It is produced as both a single varietal wine and as a blend with Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc.
Where is this variety grown?
Languedoc - Roussillon

Source: Wines of France