Infographic Part 2: Six Uncommon White Grapes in Loire
Last edited: July 2, 2020 - 3:40am EST
Loire is especially attractive to those who enjoy going off the beaten path in search of the unique and the uncommon, and its indigenous grape varieties have a lot to offer.
Such is the thrill of uncorking a totally unfamiliar bottle, researching a new producer, or having your mind blown away by the quality of an unusual wine. The path to knowledge guarantees new discoveries, and the pleasure is truly in the journey.
See also: Loire Grapes Part 1: Six Primary White Varieties
Part 2, we will dive into the six rather uncommon white grape varieties in the Loire Valley (or shall we say, pale grapes, as the list also include grapes with grey skin – yes it is a thing!) that are as hard to find as they are exciting to try.
Learn about the uncommon Loire white grapes using the infographic below. Enjoy!
The one thing we have noticed is a lot of these grapes were Burgundy natives – Burgundian rejects (make a good album name) – that got exiled from their hometown, similar to the story of Melon de Bourgogne and Gamay.
Overtime, they have found their way to the Loire Valley, and decided that the marginal climate here is fitting for them to plant their roots and call this region their home.
Coming from Canada, a mosaic of cultures made up of people who left their homes for a new country, is it cheesy to say that I feel strangely connected to these grapes?
An overview of each Loire grape is available in below in text.
1. Romorantin
a.k.a. Gros Plant De Villefranche
Overview: Originated from Burgundy and a sibling of Chardonnay, she was brought to the Loire by an unknown vine grower in the 1800s. Romorantin took the name of a village near Blois before spreading all over north-eastern Loire. Sadly, plantings declined over time because she is a real pain in the neck to ripen. Today, she is grown exclusively in Cour-Cheverny where she makes flavourful elixir to quench the thirst of those who seeks for this unique treasure.
A personal favourite grape, Romorantin wines are not exactly the easiest to find. Domaine Huards is one of the benchmark producers who is responsible for a lot of the exports. If you haven’t tried their Romo before, definitely pick up a bottle and pair it with some soft cheeses.
AOC plantings are denoted in red
Loire AOC: Cour-Cheverny
Romorantin thrives in warmer conditions. Early budding, mid ripening. Produces small berries.
2. Sacy
a.k.a. Tressallier
Overview: Sacy is a Burgundian grape historically cultivated in the Yonne department. She goes by Tressallier in Saint-Pourçain of Upper Loire, where she is planted along an important Loire tributary, Allier. (Tressallier means ‘beyond Allier’). Varietal wines are rare and most of the grapes are blended with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Some Sacy can also be found in the Auxerre vineyards just west of Chablis, contributing her sassy acidity to the local crémants.
AOC plantings are denoted in red
Loire AOC: Saint-Pourçain
Sacy loves cooler climates. Early Budding, mid ripening, and fertile. Produces small bunches and small berries.
3. Chasselas
Overview: If Pinot Noir is to Burgundy, then Chasselas is to Switzerland.
Chasselas is the dominant white grape in Switzerland, her probable homeland. Despite her origin, she is named after a southern Burgundy village near Maçon. Commonly used in the production of table wine and grape juice, Chasselas has a reputation of being a rather ordinary grape variety. Fortunately, exceptional examples made from old vines do exist in Pouilly-sur-Loire to prove the world what she is capable of.
AOC plantings are denoted in red
Loire AOC: Pouilly-sur-Loire
Chasselas loves cool climates. Mid budding, early ripening. Largish bundles, thin-skinned berries.
4. Grolleau Gris
Overview: Deeply rooted in the Loire Valley, the pink-skinned Grolleau Gris is a colour mutation of the black-skinned Grolleau Noir. In the Middle Loire, she is commonly used as a blending partner in rosé and sparkling wines. A grape susceptible to diseases, she has been neglected in favour of mainstream varieties and planting has decreased over the years. Thankfully, there are vine growers who produce impressive varietal examples where she can shine.
AOC plantings in red
Loire AOCs: Anjou Mousseux, Saumur Mousseux, Crémant de Loire, Rosé d’Anjou, and Rosé de Loire.
Grolleau Gris likes cool climates. Early budding, mid ripening. Small to medium Bunches and berries.
5. Pinot Gris
a.k.a. Malvoisie, Beurot; Pinot Grigio in Italy
Overview: Pinot Gris (gris means ‘grey’) is quite literally grey-skinned. This wildly popular varietal was brought into being by a colour mutation of Pinot Noir that occurred in the vineyards of Burgundy a long, long time ago. Throughout the centuries, she managed to spread her roots all over France and around the world. In the Loire Valley, she is known as Malvoisie or Pinot Beurot, capable of producing wines in a wide range of styles and expressions!
AOC plantings in red
Loire AOCs: Touraine Noble-Joué, Orléans, Reuilly, and Châteaumeillant
Pinot Gris can adapt to a range of growing conditions. Berry colour varies from light pink to grey. Early budding & ripening. Very small bunches and berries. Thin-skinned.
6. Sauvignon Gris
a.k.a. Fié(rs), Fié Gris, Sauvignon Rose
Overview: The pink-skinned Sauvignon Gris is fuller in body and less productive than the Sauvignon Blanc she mutated from. Once a popular variety, she almost went extinct due to phylloxera, but was, thankfully, rediscovered by a vine grower in the Loire Valley. Sauvignon Gris is commonly used in Centre Loire blends. 100% varietal bottling is not allowed in the French AOC, and must be labelled under the broader IGP classification.
AOC plantings in red
Loire AOCs: Haut-Poitou, Cheverny, Touraine + Mousseux, and Quincy
Sauvignon Gris loves sunny sites. Early to mid ripening.Vigorous and fertile. Small and compact berries.
