The white grape variety originates from France. Synonyms are Auxerrois Gros, Blanc de Nantes, Bourguignon Blanc, Feuille Ronde, Gamay Blanc, Gros Auxerrois, Gros Blanc, Latran, Lyonnais, Lyonnaise Blanche, Melon, Melon Bijeli, Muscadet, Petit Bourgogne, Pétoin, Pétouin and Plant de Bourgogne. It must not be confused with the varieties Aligoté (Melon de Jura), Auxerrois, Chardonnay (Melon d'Arbois), Gros Bl anc, Pinot Bl anc or Traminer (Savagnin Jaune), despite seemingly indicative synonyms or morphological. According to DNA analyses carried out most recently in 2013, it is one of the numerous presumably natural crosses between the two leading varieties Gouais Blanc x Pinot. The medium-maturing, high-yielding vine is resistant to frost, but very susceptible to botrytis. It produces neutral-tasting, low-acid white wines with a discreet muscat tone and citrus aroma that are particularly suitable for distillation.
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Andreas Essl
Autor, Modena