Grapes

The grapes of Bordeaux

Grapes

Each grape gives the wine something different and ripens in its own time.

The blend, grape by grape

Most Bordeaux wines are born of a blend, which means using more than one grape variety to make the wine, and each grape brings what the others lack.

Red

White

When they are picked

Each grape ripens in its own time: Sauvignon Blanc first, Cabernet Sauvignon last. A warmer climate has brought every harvest about 2 weeks earlier, and Cabernet Sauvignon, which used to ripen after the ideal window had closed, now ripens well inside it.

1951 to 19801981 to 2010The ideal window for ripening, September 10 to October 10

  1. Sauvignon Blanc 15 days earlier
  2. Merlot 19 days earlier
  3. Cabernet Franc 13 days earlier
  4. Cabernet Sauvignon 16 days earlier

Average dates calculated from the temperatures at Bordeaux-Mérignac, not the dates of a single vintage. Every estate picks on its own day, and the days keep moving: in 2025 Château Margaux picked its Sauvignon Blanc from August 18 to 22 and began its reds on September 8; in 2026, after a hot, dry summer, it began its Sauvignon Blanc on August 7, and Château Troplong Mondot began its reds on August 19. For Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the 1951 to 1980 dates are those printed in the paper’s text.

Sources: van Leeuwen et al., Agronomy 9:514 (2019), figure 4; Château Margaux, “The 2025 vintage” (2026); Vinetur, August 26, 2026.

The family tree

Bordeaux’s grapes are a family. Cabernet Sauvignon is the child of a red grape and a white one.

How are they related?

Parents

Cabernet Sauvignon

In the glass The frame of the wine: deep color, firm tannin and fresh acidity, with blackcurrant, cedar and graphite. It is hard when young and long-lived.

In the vineyard Buds late, which reduces its exposure to spring frost. On average it ripens last of the 3 main red grapes, a week to 10 days after Merlot.

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Offspring

Shares a parent with

Tap a grape to see its family.

The whole tree is 1,052 pixels wide: swipe sideways.

Morenoa Aramon Teinturier Chalosse Noire Muscadelle Hondarribi Beltza Fer Sauvignon Blanc Merlot Folle Blanche Abouriou Chenin Blanc Malbec Chardonnay Baroque Pruéras Béquignol Noir Mérille Cabernet Franc Gouais Blanc Magdeleine Noire des Charentes Savagnin Prunelard Grenache Cabernet Sauvignon Petit Bouschet Tannat Moural Gros Cabernet Camaraou Noir Merlot Blanc Colombard Jurançon Noir Sauvignon Gris Liliorila Marselan Alicante Henri Bouschet Arinarnoa Carmenère Castets Dureza Mondeuse Blanche Syrah Floréal Villaris Mtp 3159-2-12 Regent Mtp 3082-1-42 Vidoc Seyval Blanc Zähringer Souvignier Gris

No known family in this tree

These grapes have no known parent or offspring among the grapes of this tree.

One line per grape. The line starts faint before the earliest record in my library, because the vine is older than the book that names it; it is solid from that record on; it runs to today if the grape is in the rules, or fades after the last record. A dotted stretch marks records under old names whose identity is open; the line turns solid at the first record under the grape’s own name. A modern cross starts in the year it was made, and a short tick marks a later event: its first record in Bordeaux or, for the newest grapes, its admission to the rules. A grape the books name elsewhere first starts at that record, and a tick marks its first record in the Gironde.

16501700175018001850190019502000 Cabernet Franc Muscadelle Petit Verdot Sauvignon Blanc Sémillon Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec Carmenère Colombard Ugni Blanc Sauvignon Gris Merlot Blanc Touriga Nacional Castets Alvarinho Arinarnoa Liliorila Marselan Souvignier Gris Sauvignac Vidoc Floréal Blanc Auba Verdet Blanc Gros Verdot Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains Muscat of Alexandria Teinturier Pinot Noir Mancin Chasselas Mérille Folle Blanche Riesling Chalosse Noire Saint-Macaire Syrah Petit Bouschet Isabella Aramon Jurançon Blanc Pardotte Béquignol Noir Jurançon Noir Bouchalès Cunningham Cynthiana Elvira Eumelan Herbemont Jacquez Noah Othello Triumph 1700180019002000 Cabernet Franc Muscadelle Petit Verdot Sauvignon Blanc Sémillon Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec Carmenère Colombard Ugni Blanc Sauvignon Gris Merlot Blanc Touriga Nacional Castets Alvarinho Arinarnoa Liliorila Marselan Souvignier Gris Sauvignac Vidoc Floréal Blanc Auba Verdet Blanc Gros Verdot Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains Muscat of Alexandria Teinturier Pinot Noir Mancin Chasselas Mérille Folle Blanche Riesling Chalosse Noire Saint-Macaire Syrah Petit Bouschet Isabella Aramon Jurançon Blanc Pardotte Béquignol Noir Jurançon Noir Bouchalès Cunningham Cynthiana Elvira Eumelan Herbemont Jacquez Noah Othello Triumph
How to read it
  • Parents shown by DNA markers
  • Proposed or disputed
  • Color mutation
  • Grown today
  • Admitted for adaptation
  • Once grown in Bordeaux
  • Relatives
  • Black berries White berries Pink berries
The timeline as a table
One line per grape. The line starts faint before the earliest record in my library, because the vine is older than the book that names it; it is solid from that record on; it runs to today if the grape is in the rules, or fades after the last record. A dotted stretch marks records under old names whose identity is open; the line turns solid at the first record under the grape’s own name. A modern cross starts in the year it was made, and a short tick marks a later event: its first record in Bordeaux or, for the newest grapes, its admission to the rules. A grape the books name elsewhere first starts at that record, and a tick marks its first record in the Gironde.
GrapeStatusFromToNote
Cabernet Franc Grown today 1675 today 1675 to 1868 under old names whose identity is open; under its own name from 1868
Muscadelle Grown today 1736 today earliest record in my library
Petit Verdot Grown today 1736 today earliest record in my library
Sauvignon Blanc Grown today 1736 today earliest record in my library
Sémillon Grown today 1736 today earliest record in my library
Merlot Grown today 1783 today earliest record in my library
Cabernet Sauvignon Grown today 1784 today earliest record in my library
Malbec Grown today 1785 today earliest record in my library
Carmenère Grown today 1816 today earliest record in my library
Colombard Grown today 1832 today earliest record in my library; first record in Bordeaux, 1922
Ugni Blanc Grown today 1854 today earliest record in my library; first record in Bordeaux, 1922
Sauvignon Gris Grown today 1868 today earliest record in my library
Merlot Blanc Grown today 1898 today earliest record in my library
Touriga Nacional Admitted for adaptation 1851 today earliest record in my library; first record in Bordeaux, 2009
Castets Admitted for adaptation 1885 today earliest record in my library
Alvarinho Admitted for adaptation 1909 today earliest record in my library; first record in Bordeaux, 2009
Arinarnoa Admitted for adaptation 1956 today cross made in 1956
Liliorila Admitted for adaptation 1956 today cross made in 1956
Marselan Admitted for adaptation 1961 today cross made in 1961
Souvignier Gris Admitted for adaptation 1983 today cross made in 1983; planted area recorded in the Gironde in 2021; admitted to the Bordeaux rules, 2023
Sauvignac Admitted for adaptation 1991 today cross made in 1991; planted area recorded in the Gironde in 2021; admitted to the Bordeaux rules, 2023
Vidoc Admitted for adaptation 2000 today cross made in 2000; planted area recorded in the Gironde in 2021; admitted to the Bordeaux rules, 2023
Floréal Admitted for adaptation 2002 today cross made in 2002; planted area recorded in the Gironde in 2021; admitted to the Bordeaux rules, 2023
Blanc Auba Once grown in Bordeaux 1736 1922 earliest record in my library; last record, 1922
Verdet Blanc Once grown in Bordeaux 1736 1922 earliest record in my library; last record, 1922
Gros Verdot Once grown in Bordeaux 1736 1922 earliest record in my library; last record, 1922
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains Once grown in Bordeaux 1736 1893 earliest record in my library; last record, 1893
Muscat of Alexandria Once grown in Bordeaux 1736 1816 1736 to 1816 under old names whose identity is open; under its own name from 1816; last record, 1816
Teinturier Once grown in Bordeaux 1736 1922 earliest record in my library; last record, 1922
Pinot Noir Once grown in Bordeaux 1763 1922 earliest record in my library; first record in Bordeaux, 1886; last record, 1922
Mancin Once grown in Bordeaux 1781 1922 earliest record in my library; last record, 1922
Chasselas Once grown in Bordeaux 1785 1922 earliest record in my library; first record in Bordeaux, 1816; last record, 1922
Mérille Once grown in Bordeaux 1785 1922 earliest record in my library; last record, 1922
Folle Blanche Once grown in Bordeaux 1816 1922 earliest record in my library; last record, 1922
Riesling Once grown in Bordeaux 1816 1922 earliest record in my library; first record in Bordeaux, 1908; last record, 1922
Chalosse Noire Once grown in Bordeaux 1824 1922 earliest record in my library; last record, 1922
Saint-Macaire Once grown in Bordeaux 1824 1922 earliest record in my library; last record, 1922
Syrah Once grown in Bordeaux 1826 1922 earliest record in my library; first record in Bordeaux, 1838; last record, 1922
Petit Bouschet Once grown in Bordeaux 1829 1881 cross made in 1829; first record in Bordeaux, 1881; last record, 1881
Isabella Once grown in Bordeaux 1833 1904 earliest record in my library; first record in Bordeaux, 1863; last record, 1904
Aramon Once grown in Bordeaux 1838 1922 earliest record in my library; first record in Bordeaux, 1893; last record, 1922
Jurançon Blanc Once grown in Bordeaux 1854 1922 earliest record in my library; first record in Bordeaux, 1874; last record, 1922
Pardotte Once grown in Bordeaux 1855 1922 earliest record in my library; last record, 1922
Béquignol Noir Once grown in Bordeaux 1867 1922 earliest record in my library; last record, 1922
Jurançon Noir Once grown in Bordeaux 1868 1922 earliest record in my library; last record, 1922
Bouchalès Once grown in Bordeaux 1874 1922 earliest record in my library; last record, 1922
Cunningham Once grown in Bordeaux 1881 1881 earliest record in my library; last record, 1881
Cynthiana Once grown in Bordeaux 1881 1881 earliest record in my library; last record, 1881
Elvira Once grown in Bordeaux 1881 1904 earliest record in my library; last record, 1904
Eumelan Once grown in Bordeaux 1881 1881 earliest record in my library; last record, 1881
Herbemont Once grown in Bordeaux 1881 1893 earliest record in my library; last record, 1893
Jacquez Once grown in Bordeaux 1881 1893 earliest record in my library; last record, 1893
Noah Once grown in Bordeaux 1881 1904 earliest record in my library; last record, 1904
Othello Once grown in Bordeaux 1881 1904 earliest record in my library; last record, 1904
Triumph Once grown in Bordeaux 1881 1904 earliest record in my library; last record, 1904

80 grapes, 52 family links, 985 dated records of vines in the old books and 70 old names, each with its source.

Grown in Bordeaux today

13

Principal red grape

Cabernet Sauvignon

In the glass The frame of the wine: deep color, firm tannin and fresh acidity, with blackcurrant, cedar and graphite. It is hard when young and long-lived.

In the vineyard Buds late, which reduces its exposure to spring frost. On average it ripens last of the 3 main red grapes, a week to 10 days after Merlot.

Parents: Cabernet Franc × Sauvignon Blanc Offspring: Arinarnoa, Marselan

In Bordeaux: Principal (red) in 30 of the appellations and designations on this site; principal (rosé) in 1; principal (sparkling) in 1.

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Principal red grape

Merlot

In the glass The flesh of the wine: soft, round tannin, plum and black cherry, and more sugar than the Cabernets. It is ready to drink sooner.

In the vineyard Buds early and flowers earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon, so spring frost is its risk. On average the first of the main red grapes to ripen, and it rots fast if rain comes once it is ripe.

Parents: Magdeleine Noire des Charentes × Cabernet Franc Offspring: Merlot Blanc

In Bordeaux: Principal (red) in 30 of the appellations and designations on this site; principal (rosé) in 1; principal (sparkling) in 1.

Stands out at: Petrus (Merlot alone); Château Le Pin (Merlot 100%)

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Principal red grape

Cabernet Franc

In the glass Freshness and perfume: raspberry, violet and a leafy note, with finer tannin than Cabernet Sauvignon and only moderate color.

In the vineyard Buds early, so spring frost is its risk. On average it ripens after Merlot and before Cabernet Sauvignon.

Offspring: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenère, Morenoa (proposed), Hondarribi Beltza (proposed)

In Bordeaux: Principal (red) in 30 of the appellations and designations on this site; principal (rosé) in 1; principal (sparkling) in 1.

Stands out at: Château Cheval Blanc (Cabernet Franc leads, 55% of the vineyard); Château Jean Faure (Cabernet Franc leads, 65%)

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Principal red grape

Petit Verdot

In the glass A small share gives the blend deep color, firm tannin, acidity and a note of violet and spice.

In the vineyard Buds early but ripens late: in the trials it is the last red grape to change color. It needs a warm year to ripen fully.

In Bordeaux: Principal (red) in 15 of the appellations and designations on this site; principal (rosé) in 1; principal (sparkling) in 1; accessory (red) in 12.

Stands out at: Château Micalet (Petit Verdot leads, 60% of the 2023); Château de Cartujac (Petit Verdot 26% of the 2020)

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Principal red grape

Malbec

In the glass Color, plum and violet, and a soft, round middle. Bordeaux uses it in small shares.

In the vineyard Ripens early, with Merlot, before the Cabernets. It often loses much of its crop at flowering.

Parents: Magdeleine Noire des Charentes × Prunelard Offspring: Jurançon Noir

In Bordeaux: Principal (red) in 29 of the appellations and designations on this site; principal (rosé) in 1; principal (sparkling) in 1.

Stands out at: Château Martinat (Malbec 25%, beside Merlot 70% and Cabernet Franc 5%); Château Roland La Garde (Malbec 15%, with Merlot 60% and the 2 Cabernets 25%)

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Principal red grape

Carmenère

In the glass Deep color, supple tannin and spice, with a green-pepper note, strongest in cool years.

In the vineyard It flowers badly and gives small crops, which is why so few growers kept it.

Parents: Cabernet Franc × Gros Cabernet (proposed) × Moural (proposed)

In Bordeaux: Principal (red) in 14 of the appellations and designations on this site; principal (rosé) in 1; principal (sparkling) in 1; accessory (red) in 12.

Stands out at: Château Tour du Pas Saint-Georges (Carmenère 4.5% of the 2022 blend); Château des Graviers (Carmenère 2%, beside Malbec 3% and Petit Verdot 3%)

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Principal white grape

Sémillon

In the glass The body of white Bordeaux: wax, breadth and, with age, honeyed depth. Its thin skin welcomes noble rot, so it is the heart of Sauternes.

In the vineyard Starts growing early; Bordeaux growers recorded it flowering and ripening after Sauvignon Blanc, though the national catalog puts both in the same period.

In Bordeaux: Principal (white) in 22 of the appellations and designations on this site; principal (sparkling) in 1; accessory (rosé) in 1.

Stands out at: Château Doisy-Dubroca (Sémillon is the only grape); Château La Rame (Its Sainte-Croix-du-Mont is 100% Sémillon)

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Principal white grape

Sauvignon Blanc

In the glass The bite of white Bordeaux: high acidity and the scent of grapefruit, passion fruit and boxwood.

In the vineyard On average the first of the main grapes to be picked, in early September in recent decades, ahead of Merlot and the 2 Cabernets; the national catalog puts its ripening in the same period as Merlot’s, but it is picked at lower sugar.

Parents: Savagnin Offspring: Cabernet Sauvignon Color mutation: Sauvignon Gris

In Bordeaux: Principal (white) in 22 of the appellations and designations on this site; principal (sparkling) in 1; accessory (rosé) in 1.

Stands out at: Château Margaux (Its white wine is 100% Sauvignon Blanc); Château Couhins-Lurton (Its white wine is 100% Sauvignon Blanc)

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Principal white grape

Sauvignon Gris

In the glass A pink-skinned Sauvignon, with more body and usually lower acidity than Sauvignon Blanc, a softer scent and a touch of spice.

In the vineyard The same vine as Sauvignon Blanc with a pink skin, and it grows much like it.

Color mutation of: Sauvignon Blanc

In Bordeaux: Principal (white) in 22 of the appellations and designations on this site; principal (sparkling) in 1; accessory (rosé) in 1.

Stands out at: Château de La Rivière (Sauvignon Gris 34% of its white wine); Château Thieuley (Sauvignon Gris 15% of the white Château Thieuley)

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Principal white grape

Muscadelle

In the glass The perfume of white Bordeaux: musky, floral, grapey notes, used in small doses in dry and sweet wines.

In the vineyard Buds fairly late but ripens quickly, then rots fast, so it must be picked on time.

Parents: Gouais Blanc

In Bordeaux: Principal (white) in 22 of the appellations and designations on this site; principal (sparkling) in 1.

Stands out at: Château Lynch-Bages (Muscadelle is 12% of its white wine); Château Durfort-Vivens (Old Muscadelle vines, with old Castets, beside its red grapes)

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Accessory white grape

Colombard

In the glass High acidity and a floral note, used in small shares in white Bordeaux.

In the vineyard Buds early and ripens fairly late, so it risks both spring frost and fall rain.

Parents: Gouais Blanc × Chenin Blanc

In Bordeaux: Principal (white) in 1 of the appellations and designations on this site; accessory (white) in 6; accessory (sparkling) in 1.

Stands out at: Château Bonnet (Colombard is 11% of its white grapes); Château Lamothe de Haux (Colombard among its 5 white grapes)

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Accessory white grape

Ugni Blanc

In the glass Sharp acidity, light body and little scent. Better known as the grape of Cognac.

In the vineyard Buds late, which reduces its exposure to spring frost, and ripens late, keeping its acidity.

In Bordeaux: Accessory (white) in 6 of the appellations and designations on this site; accessory (sparkling) in 1.

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Accessory white grape

Merlot Blanc

In the glass Volume and a soft, neutral fruit, but little character.

In the vineyard Very productive. About 11 hectares were recorded in Bordeaux in 2022.

Parents: Merlot × Folle Blanche

In Bordeaux: Accessory (white) in 3 of the appellations and designations on this site; accessory (sparkling) in 1.

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Admitted for adaptation since 2021

10

Red grape of interest for adaptation

Arinarnoa

In the glass Close to Cabernet Sauvignon, one of its parents: deep color, firm tannin, black fruit and spice.

In the vineyard Buds and ripens very late, and keeps good acidity.

Parents: Tannat × Cabernet Sauvignon

In Bordeaux: Admitted for adaptation (red) in 5 of the appellations and designations on this site; admitted for adaptation (rosé) in 1.

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Red grape of interest for adaptation

Castets

In the glass Deep color, dense tannin and spice, with black fruit and licorice.

In the vineyard Buds late, about with Cabernet Sauvignon, so it is less exposed to spring frost, and ripens a few days before Merlot.

Parents: Gros Cabernet × Camaraou Noir

In Bordeaux: Admitted for adaptation (red) in 6 of the appellations and designations on this site; admitted for adaptation (rosé) in 1.

Stands out at: Château Durfort-Vivens (Old Castets vines, with old Muscadelle, beside its Cabernet Sauvignon); Clos Puy Arnaud (Castets at 1.5%)

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Red grape of interest for adaptation

Marselan

In the glass Deep color, generous fruit, a floral note and rounder tannin than Cabernet Sauvignon; in the Bordeaux trials its juice pH held relatively steady.

In the vineyard In the trial vineyard at La Tour Carnet it buds later than Merlot, and it ripens late. Little touched by rot or powdery mildew.

Parents: Cabernet Sauvignon × Grenache

In Bordeaux: Admitted for adaptation (red) in 5 of the appellations and designations on this site; admitted for adaptation (rosé) in 1.

Stands out at: Château Frédignac (Marselan planted beside Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec)

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Red grape of interest for adaptation

Touriga Nacional

In the glass Deep color, black fruit and violet, with fine tannin.

In the vineyard In the Bordeaux trials it ripens late, which lets it keep its freshness in hot summers.

In Bordeaux: Admitted for adaptation (red) in 5 of the appellations and designations on this site; admitted for adaptation (rosé) in 1.

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Red grape of interest for adaptation

Vidoc

In the glass Deep color, firm tannin and spice, with black fruit.

In the vineyard Bred to resist downy and powdery mildew, so it needs far fewer sprays. It ripens late, around the time of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Parents: Mtp 3082-1-42 × Regent

In Bordeaux: Admitted for adaptation (red) in 2 of the appellations and designations on this site; admitted for adaptation (rosé) in 1.

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White grape of interest for adaptation

Alvarinho

In the glass Bright acidity, white flowers, peach and citrus.

In the vineyard It flowered early in the 2012 Bordeaux trial, and it resists rot.

In Bordeaux: Admitted for adaptation (white) in 2 of the appellations and designations on this site; admitted for adaptation (rosé) in 1.

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White grape of interest for adaptation

Floréal

In the glass Exotic fruit and boxwood, with moderate acidity.

In the vineyard Bred to resist downy and powdery mildew, so it needs far fewer sprays. It ripens early.

Parents: Villaris (proposed) × Mtp 3159-2-12 (proposed)

In Bordeaux: Admitted for adaptation (white) in 3 of the appellations and designations on this site; admitted for adaptation (rosé) in 1.

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White grape of interest for adaptation

Liliorila

In the glass A strong perfume of flowers and exotic fruit, with moderate acidity that drops when the grapes get very ripe.

In the vineyard Picked around the time of Sauvignon Blanc, and little touched by gray rot.

Parents: Baroque × Chardonnay

In Bordeaux: Admitted for adaptation (white) in 3 of the appellations and designations on this site; admitted for adaptation (rosé) in 1.

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White grape of interest for adaptation

Sauvignac

In the glass Pineapple, exotic fruit and melon, in a dry, round and long white.

In the vineyard Resists mildew. It buds and is picked early, on dates that vary with site and year.

In Bordeaux: Admitted for adaptation (white) in 3 of the appellations and designations on this site; admitted for adaptation (rosé) in 1.

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White grape of interest for adaptation

Souvignier Gris

In the glass Citrus, quince and a touch of spice, with a fuller body.

In the vineyard Resists mildew and rot, but buds early, so spring frost is its risk.

Parents: Seyval Blanc × Zähringer

In Bordeaux: Admitted for adaptation (white) in 3 of the appellations and designations on this site; admitted for adaptation (rosé) in 1.

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The grapes Bordeaux once grew

32

  • Gros Verdot Gros Verdot is a black grape of the old Gironde palus, the bigger-berried companion of Petit Verdot in the 19th-century books; VIVC lists it as Verdot Gros, with no known parents.
  • Bouchalès Bouchalès is a black grape of the old Gironde, the grapput of the Bordeaux and Libourne districts in the 19th-century books; VIVC gives it no known parents.
  • Mancin Mancin is a black grape of the old Médoc, Bourg, and palus, named in a 1781 Pauillac report; whether it is VIVC’s Mancin or Manseng Noir is open.
  • Saint-Macaire Saint-Macaire is a black grape once grown in the low palus of the Gironde for its deep color; it shares its name with a Garonne town, and VIVC gives it no known parents.
  • Pardotte Pardotte, or Petite-Parde, is a black grape of the old Entre-deux-Mers, Cadillac, and Graves country; VIVC lists a Pardotte with no known parents, but which vine the books meant is open.
  • Mérille Mérille is a black grape once found in small amounts in the Gironde, called picard at Mérignac; Wine Grapes draws Prunelard, a parent of Malbec, as one of its parents.
  • Béquignol Noir Béquignol Noir is a black grape known in the old Gironde as fer or béquignol; DNA markers show Savagnin as one parent, with the other unknown.
  • Chalosse Noire Chalosse Noire is a big-bunched black grape of the old Médoc, kept also for the winter table; DNA markers show Gouais Blanc as one parent, the other unknown.
  • Jurançon Noir Jurançon Noir is a black grape once grown in the Gironde as giranson, nochant, and arrivet; DNA markers show it is a cross of Folle Blanche and Cot, the Malbec.
  • Teinturier Teinturier is the red-fleshed black grape the old Gironde books kept only for color; DNA markers show Savagnin as one parent, and it is a parent of Petit Bouschet.
  • Petit Bouschet Petit Bouschet is a red-juiced grape that Louis Bouschet crossed in 1829 from Teinturier and Aramon; the Gironde books record one grafted planting, at Langoiran in 1881.
  • Syrah Syrah, the Hermitage grape, is a cross of Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche; a Gironde wine journal already praised it in 1838, and later books find it in the Graves, the Médoc, and Saint-Émilion.
  • Pinot Noir Pinot Noir, the grape of Burgundy, came to Bordeaux vineyards as “pinot de Bourgogne”: at Saint-Émilion by 1886, from Romanée-Conti, and in a Graves cru named Pontac-Pinot by 1908.
  • Aramon Aramon is a black grape of the French south, a cross of Ouliven and Gouais Blanc and a parent of Petit Bouschet; Bordeaux books place it only in the Bassin d’Arcachon vineyards, 1893 to 1922.
  • Folle Blanche Folle Blanche, known in most of the 19th-century Gironde as “Enrageat”, is the old white grape of Cognac and Armagnac and, DNA markers show, a parent of Merlot Blanc and Jurançon Noir.
  • Jurançon Blanc Jurançon Blanc is a productive white grape of southwest France, thought to be a cross of Folle Blanche and Pruéras; the Gironde books record it from 1874 to 1922, mostly beside the Enrageat.
  • Verdet Blanc Blanc Verdet is an old late white of the Gironde whose bunches stay green at maturity; the books follow it from the 18th-century Sauternais to the 1922 guide, as a common vine that the Graves still counted among their main whites.
  • Blanc Auba Blanc Auba is a late white grape of the Gironde coteaux, once the base of the good vineyards of Sainte-Croix-du-Mont and still grown there and at Cadillac in 1874; its grapes resisted noble rot, and no modern name is known for it.
  • Chasselas Chasselas, a white grape grown above all for eating, appears in the Gironde as a rare wine vine in 1816, a grafted vine at Langoiran in 1881 and a profitable table grape in 1893.
  • Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, the Muscat of Frontignan, was a Gironde wine grape in 1816 and, by 1893, a profitable table grape that Cocks and Féret named “Muscat blanc, appelé aussi Frontignan.”
  • Muscat of Alexandria Muscat of Alexandria, a large-berried late Muscat, is named once under its own name among the white grapes of the Gironde, by André Jullien in 1816; in 1850 du Puits de Maconex, a grower at Gradignan, found that it ripened badly at Bordeaux.
  • Riesling Riesling, the grape of the Rhine, appears in the Bordeaux books in 2 ways: as “metternich”, listed among the grapes of the Sauternes country from 1898 and identified as Riesling at château Guiraud in 1908, and in the name of a Graves cru, Pontac-Riesling, at Villenave-d’Ornon, 1908 to 1922.
  • Herbemont Herbemont is a black American hybrid, with Chasselas as one parent by DNA markers, planted in the Gironde after phylloxera to make wine on its own roots, then used as a rootstock.
  • Jacquez Jacquez is a black American hybrid, given in the old books as aestivalis crossed with vinifera, tried in the Gironde as a direct producer after phylloxera and kept as a rootstock.
  • Cynthiana Cynthiana is a black American vine, by DNA markers a hybrid with Vitis aestivalis and vinifera in its ancestry, listed in VIVC with Norton as a synonym, tried in the Gironde as a direct producer after phylloxera.
  • Elvira Elvira is a white American hybrid, recorded as Taylor crossed with Martha by Jacob Rommel in 1862, tried in the Gironde as a direct producer after phylloxera.
  • Eumelan Eumelan is a black American grape, recorded as a seedling of Isabella raised by Thorne in 1847, planted at Langoiran in the Gironde as a direct producer after phylloxera.
  • Cunningham Cunningham is a black American vine, by DNA markers a cross of Vitis aestivalis and Meslier Petit, grown at Cenon in the Gironde as a direct producer after phylloxera.
  • Noah Noah is a white American hybrid raised from a Taylor seedling in 1869, Taylor confirmed as one parent by DNA markers, grown in the Gironde as a direct producer and a rootstock.
  • Othello Othello is a black hybrid raised in Canada by Charles Arnold, given as Clinton crossed with Black Hamburgh, grown in the Gironde as a direct producer after phylloxera.
  • Triumph Triumph is a white American hybrid, given by George W. Campbell as Concord crossed with Chasselas musqué, tried in the Gironde as a direct producer after phylloxera.
  • Isabella Isabella is a black American grape, by DNA markers a cross of Vitis labrusca and Meslier Petit, grown in Gironde vineyards under the name Sainte-Hélène before and during phylloxera.

The wider family

25

  • Alicante Henri Bouschet Alicante Henri Bouschet is a red-juiced cross of Petit Bouschet and Grenache made by Henri Bouschet in 1855; Viala warned in 1893 that anthracnose kept it out of the center and the southwest, and a 1922 Bordeaux guide names it as a parent of a rootstock.
  • Mauzac Mauzac Blanc is the old white grape of Gaillac and Limoux; in the Gironde books the word “mauzac” names the Malbec, and the Gironde books record no planting of the white Mauzac.
  • Gros Cabernet Gros Cabernet is a black grape identified by DNA, a child of Hondarribi Beltza and a parent of Castets; its name is also an old Médoc name for a vine that was most likely Cabernet Franc.
  • Magdeleine Noire des Charentes Magdeleine Noire des Charentes is a black French grape, no longer cultivated, that DNA markers show to be a parent of both Merlot and Malbec (Cot).
  • Prunelard Prunelard is a black French grape that DNA markers show to be a parent of Malbec (Cot), the old Bordeaux grape, with Magdeleine Noire des Charentes.
  • Hondarribi Beltza Hondarribi Beltza is a black Basque grape, a DNA-confirmed parent of Gros Cabernet and so a grandparent of Castets; a proposed link makes it close kin of Cabernet Franc.
  • Morenoa Morenoa is a black grape of Spain’s Basque Country that a proposed DNA link places in a parent and offspring relation with Cabernet Franc, direction open.
  • Abouriou Abouriou is a black French grape that Wine Grapes proposes as an offspring of Magdeleine Noire des Charentes, which would make it a half-sibling of Merlot and Malbec.
  • Fer Fer, or Fer Servadou, is a black French grape proposed in 2009 as a parent of Gros Cabernet, which would make it a grandparent of Castets; a 2018 DNA study found that link poorly supported.
  • Camaraou Noir Camaraou Noir is a black grape of the Pyrenees that DNA markers show to be a parent of Castets, with Gros Cabernet; Castets entered the Bordeaux rules in 2021.
  • Moural Moural is a black French grape that a 2013 DNA study proposed as a parent of Carmenère, with Cabernet Franc; a rival study names Gros Cabernet, and the question is open.
  • Tannat Tannat is a black French grape and, DNA markers show, a parent of Arinarnoa with Cabernet Sauvignon, a cross made in Bordeaux and admitted into AOC Bordeaux in 2021.
  • Grenache Grenache, Garnacha in Spain, is a black Spanish grape that DNA markers show to be a parent of Marselan, with Cabernet Sauvignon, admitted into AOC Bordeaux in 2021.
  • Dureza Dureza is a black grape of the Ardèche that DNA markers show to be a parent of Syrah, with Mondeuse Blanche; Syrah was once planted in the Gironde.
  • Mondeuse Blanche Mondeuse Blanche is a white grape of Savoie that DNA markers show is a parent of Syrah, with Dureza; it enters the Bordeaux tree through Syrah, a vine the Médoc once planted.
  • Savagnin Savagnin, or Traminer, is an old white of northeast France or southwest Germany; DNA markers show it is a parent of Sauvignon Blanc and so a grandparent of Cabernet Sauvignon.
  • Gouais Blanc Gouais Blanc, filed by VIVC as Heunisch Weiss, is a founder white once widespread in northeast France, of uncertain origin; DNA markers show it is a parent of Muscadelle and Colombard.
  • Pruéras Pruéras is a white grape that Wine Grapes places in the Gironde; DNA markers give Savagnin as one parent, and the old books describe a “Prueras” whose identity is still open.
  • Chenin Blanc Chenin Blanc is the Loire white, a child of Savagnin by DNA markers; with Gouais Blanc it is a parent of Colombard, an accessory white grape of AOC Bordeaux.
  • Chardonnay Chardonnay, the Burgundy white that DNA markers show is a cross of Gouais Blanc and Pinot, is a parent of Liliorila, admitted in Bordeaux in 2021, and is grown by a few Gironde estates profiled on this site.
  • Baroque Baroque is a rare white grape of southwest France; with Chardonnay it is a parent of Liliorila, bred at INRA Bordeaux in 1956 and admitted to AOC Bordeaux in 2021.
  • Villaris Villaris is a white grape bred in Germany in 1984 from Sirius and Vidal Blanc; the breeder’s record makes it a parent of Floréal, a resistant white now planted in the Gironde.
  • Regent Regent is a German red crossed in 1967 from Diana and Chambourcin; DNA markers show it is a parent of Vidoc, a resistant red bred by INRA and the JKI and now planted in the Gironde.
  • Seyval Blanc Seyval Blanc is a French hybrid white, Seyve-Villard 5276; DNA markers show that with Zähringer it is a parent of Souvignier Gris, a resistant white now planted in the Gironde.
  • Zähringer Zähringer is a Traminer × Riesling cross made at Freiburg in 1939; DNA markers show that with Seyval Blanc it is a parent of Souvignier Gris, a resistant white now planted in the Gironde.

Old names

Bordeaux is an ever-changing place, and so is its wine.

From Guto’s notebook

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