Gamay Blanc Gloriod
Encyclopedia
Gamay Blanc Gloriod is an obscure French
variety of white wine grape. Very little of it is grown commercially.
It is named after Émile Gloriod, who discovered it as a seedling; it was originally thought to be a white version of the Gamay
grape. "Gamay Blanc" was already used as an alternative name for Chardonnay
, which is another white grape that looks like Gamay. It's not surprising that there's a family resemblance - recent DNA analysis has shown that all three are siblings, independent varieties with the same parents.
At first it was thought to be a seedling of Gamay
, and conventional ampelography
linked it to the Melon variety, but DNA fingerprinting showed that along with Chardonnay and Aligoté
, it is one of many grapes to be the result of a cross between Gouais Blanc
(Heunisch) and Pinot
. Gouais Blanc was widely grown by the French peasantry in the Medieval ages.
French wine
French wine is produced in several regions throughout France, in quantities between 50 and 60 million hectolitres per year, or 7–8 billion bottles. France has the world's second-largest total vineyard area, behind Spain, and is in the position of being the world's largest wine producer...
variety of white wine grape. Very little of it is grown commercially.
It is named after Émile Gloriod, who discovered it as a seedling; it was originally thought to be a white version of the Gamay
Gamay
Gamay is a purple-colored grape variety used to make red wines, most notably grown in Beaujolais and in the Loire Valley around Tours. Its full name is Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc. It is a very old cultivar, mentioned as long ago as the 15th century...
grape. "Gamay Blanc" was already used as an alternative name for Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape variety used to make white wine. It is originated from the Burgundy wine region of eastern France but is now grown wherever wine is produced, from England to New Zealand...
, which is another white grape that looks like Gamay. It's not surprising that there's a family resemblance - recent DNA analysis has shown that all three are siblings, independent varieties with the same parents.
History
The gardener Émile Gloriod, from Gy in Haute-Saône, discovered Gamay Blanc Gloriod in 1895.At first it was thought to be a seedling of Gamay
Gamay
Gamay is a purple-colored grape variety used to make red wines, most notably grown in Beaujolais and in the Loire Valley around Tours. Its full name is Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc. It is a very old cultivar, mentioned as long ago as the 15th century...
, and conventional ampelography
Ampelography
Ampelography is the field of botany concerned with the identification and classification of grapevines, Vitis spp. Traditionally this has been done by comparing the shape and colour of the vine leaves and grape berries; more recently the study of vines has been revolutionised by DNA...
linked it to the Melon variety, but DNA fingerprinting showed that along with Chardonnay and Aligoté
Aligoté
Aligoté is a white grape used to make dry white wines in the Burgundy region of France, and which also has significant plantings in much of Eastern Europe including Romania, Russia, Ukraine, Moldova and Bulgaria. With , it was the 22nd most planted vine variety in the world in 2004...
, it is one of many grapes to be the result of a cross between Gouais Blanc
Gouais Blanc
Gouais Blanc or Weißer Heunisch is a white grape variety that is seldom grown today but is important as the ancestor of many traditional French and German grape varieties. The name Gouais derives from the old French adjective ‘gou’, a term of derision befitting its traditional status as the grape...
(Heunisch) and Pinot
Pinot
-Grape varieties:* One of several grape varieties and associated wines** Pinot blanc ** Pinot gris ** Pinot meunier** Pinot noir...
. Gouais Blanc was widely grown by the French peasantry in the Medieval ages.
Distribution and Wines
Gamay Blanc Gloriod was never more than a curiosity even in its home territory around Burgundy.Vine and Viticulture
The yield of Gamay Blanc Gloriod is variable; it produces small, cylindrical bunches of small grapes.See also
- Other Gouais Blanc/Pinot crosses include Aubin VertAubin VertAubin Vert is a white wine grape cultivar grown in the Lorraine region of France. Small vineyards are found in Bulligny, Bruley, Pagney and Rozérieulles. Within the last century, it has also been grown in Thiaucourt-Regniéville, d'Euvezin and Magny...
, AuxerroisAuxerrois BlancAuxerrois Blanc or Auxerrois Blanc de Laquenexy is a white wine grape that is important in Alsace, and is also grown in Germany and Luxembourg. It is a full sibling of Chardonnay that is often blended with the similar Pinot Blanc.-History:...
, Bachet noirBachet noirBachet Noir is a traditional French variety of red wine grape that is a sibling of Chardonnay. A little is still grown in the Aube, where it is used to add colour and body to Gamay wines.-History:...
, BeaunoirBeaunoirBeaunoir is a traditional French variety of red wine grape that is a sibling of Chardonnay. The 'beautiful black' grape produces a thin wine and not much is grown these days.-History:...
, Franc Noir de la Haute-SaôneFranc Noir de la Haute-SaôneFranc Noir de la Haute-Saône is a traditional French variety of red wine grape that is a sibling of Chardonnay. It makes thin, tart wine and has largely disappeared from cultivation.-History:...
, GamayGamayGamay is a purple-colored grape variety used to make red wines, most notably grown in Beaujolais and in the Loire Valley around Tours. Its full name is Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc. It is a very old cultivar, mentioned as long ago as the 15th century...
, Melon, KnipperléKnipperléKnipperlé is a traditional French variety of white wine grape from Alsace. It's not listed for use in AOC wine, but is a minor component of blends for local drinking, in some ways an Alsatian equivalent of its sibling Aligoté in Burgundy.-History:...
, PeurionPeurionPeurion is a traditional French variety of white wine grape that is a sibling of Chardonnay. Once quite popular, not much is still grown in France these days.-History:...
, RomorantinRomorantinRomorantin is a traditional French variety of white wine grape, that is a sibling of Chardonnay. Once quite widely grown in the Loire, it has now only seen in the Cour-Cheverny AOC. It produces intense, minerally wines somewhat reminiscent of Chablis....
, RoublotRoublotRoublot is a traditional French variety of white wine grape that is a sibling of Chardonnay. It was once quite widely grown near Auxerre.-History:In the early 19th century, Roublot made up a third of the area in Saint-Bris-le-Vineux in the west of Chablis...
, and SacySacy (grape)Sacy is a white wine grape grown primarily in the central and northeastern France within the Yonne and Allier départments.Sacy ripens early, and produces light-coloured wines low in acid and alcohol.-Parentage:...