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Chardonnay

Registration Information

In France, Chardonnay is officially listed in the “Catalogue of vine varieties” on the A list and is classified for wine grapes. This variety is also listed in the catalogues of other Member States of the European Union: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

Cultivation and Vine Characteristics

Chardonnay is generally pruned long. However, in areas with favorable climatic conditions for floral initiation, vines may also be pruned short. This variety is suited to moderately fertile soils with dominant limestone or marl. In Mediterranean areas, intense drought situations are to be avoided. The bunches and berries are small.

Wine Characteristics

This variety has an extremely high quality potential and is used to produce dry white wines, sparkling wines and even liqueur wines. The sugar content of the berries can reach high levels while maintaining high acidity. This is what enables the production of particularly well balanced, powerful and ample wines (full-bodied and with volume). The typical aromas are complex and intense (dried fruit, hazelnut, grilled flavour, exotic fruit, butter, etc.). Chardonnay is also suited to barrel fermentation and barrel ageing.

Susceptibility to Diseases and Pests

Chardonnay is susceptible to powdery mildew and strongly express grapevine yellows. At the end of its maturation and under vigorous conditions, Botrytis may cause significant damage.

Clonal selection in France

The thirty-one certified Chardonnay clones carry the numbers 75, 76, 77, 78, 95, 96, 116, 117, 118, 119, 121, 122, 124, 125, 128, 130, 131, 132, 277, 352, 414, 415, 548, 549, 809, 1066, 1067, 1068, 1145, 1146 and 1147. A conservatory of more than 340 clones was planted in 1994 in the French department of Saône-et-Loire. An other conservatory of 53 clones was planted in the French department of Champagne in 2015.

Available Clones

96

Regular production clone. Can control production for its use in still wines. It can also be used for the production of sparkling wines.

Available in: VineTech Select, VineTech GrowerSelect, VineTech International, VineTech QuickVine

Clone Characteristics

  • Fertility: Medium
  • Production Level: Medium to high
  • Cluster Weight: High
  • Vine Vigor: High
  • Berry Size: Medium

Wine Characteristics

  • Sugar Potential: Medium to high
  • Acidity: Medium to high
  • Oenological Characteristics: Lively wines.
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121

Clone appreciated for its growing characteristics and the quality of wines obtained. It can also be used for the production of sparkling wines.

Available in: VineTech International

Clone Characteristics

  • Fertility: Medium
  • Production Level: Medium
  • Cluster Weight: Medium to high
  • Vine Vigor: Medium
  • Berry Size: Medium

Wine Characteristics

  • Sugar Potential: Medium
  • Acidity: Medium
  • Oenological Characteristics: Aromatic, fine, distinctive and balanced wines.
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131

Master production for its use in still wines. It can also be used for the production of sparkling wines.

Available in: VineTech International

Clone Characteristics

  • Fertility: Medium
  • Production Level: Medium to high
  • Cluster Weight: Medium to high
  • Vine Vigor: Medium
  • Berry Size: Low to medium

Wine Characteristics

  • Sugar Potential: Medium to high
  • Acidity: Medium
  • Oenological Characteristics: Lively wines.
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548

Earlier ripening clone, appreciated for its growing characteristics and the quality of wines obtained.

Available in: VineTech Select, VineTech GrowerSelect, VineTech International, VineTech QuickVine

Clone Characteristics

  • Fertility: Medium
  • Production Level: Low
  • Cluster Weight: Low
  • Vine Vigor: Medium
  • Berry Size: Medium

Wine Characteristics

  • Sugar Potential: High
  • Acidity: Medium to high
  • Oenological Characteristics: Concentrated, balanced wines with complex aromas.
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809

Clone appreciated for its growing characteristics and the quality of the wines obtained. To be used with caution depending on the muscat character sought.

Available in: VineTech Select, VineTech GrowerSelect, VineTech International, VineTech QuickVine

Clone Characteristics

  • Fertility: Medium
  • Production Level: Low to medium
  • Cluster Weight: Low
  • Vine Vigor: Medium
  • Berry Size: Low to medium

Wine Characteristics

  • Sugar Potential: High
  • Acidity: High
  • Oenological Characteristics: Muscat wines, fine and balanced.
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1066

Small and strongly millerandated clusters. Earlier ripening clone, appreciated for its low production level, its higher sugar content, and the quality of wines obtained.

Available in: VineTech GrowerSelect, VineTech International, VineTech QuickVine

Clone Characteristics

  • Fertility: Low to medium
  • Production Level: Very low
  • Cluster Weight: Very low
  • Berry Size: Low to medium

Wine Characteristics

  • Sugar Potential: High
  • Acidity: Low to medium
  • Oenological Characteristics: Fine, distinctive, aromatic and well-structured wines.
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1067

Earlier ripening clone, appreciated for its growing characteristics and the quality of wines obtained.

Available in: VineTech GrowerSelect, VineTech International, VineTech QuickVine

Clone Characteristics

  • Fertility: Low
  • Production Level: Low
  • Cluster Weight: Low to medium
  • Berry Size: Medium

Wine Characteristics

  • Sugar Potential: High
  • Acidity: Medium
  • Oenological Characteristics: Concentrated, balanced wines with complex aromas.
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1068

Clone appreciated for its growing characteristics and the quality of wines obtained.

Available in: VineTech GrowerSelect, VineTech International, VineTech QuickVine

Clone Characteristics

  • Fertility: Low to medium
  • Production Level: Low to medium
  • Cluster Weight: Low to medium
  • Berry Size: Medium

Wine Characteristics

  • Sugar Potential: High
  • Acidity: Medium
  • Oenological Characteristics: Muscat aromas (more discreet after malolactic fermentation), fine, balanced structure.
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76

Clone appreciated for its regularity of production, its growing characteristics and the quality of the wines obtained. It can also be used for the production of sparkling wines.

Available in: VineTech Select, VineTech GrowerSelect, VineTech International, VineTech QuickVine

Clone Characteristics

  • Fertility: Medium
  • Production Level: Medium
  • Cluster Weight: Low to medium
  • Vine Vigor: Medium
  • Berry Size: Low to medium

Wine Characteristics

  • Sugar Potential: Medium to high
  • Acidity: Medium
  • Oenological Characteristics: Aromatic, fine, and distinctive wines.
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95

Clone appreciated for its regularity of production, its growing characteristics and the quality of the wines obtained. It can also be used for the production of sparkling wines.

Available in: VineTech Select, VineTech International

Clone Characteristics

  • Fertility: Medium
  • Production Level: Medium
  • Cluster Weight: Low to medium
  • Vine Vigor: Medium to high
  • Berry Size: Low to medium

Wine Characteristics

  • Sugar Potential: Medium to high
  • Acidity: Low to medium
  • Oenological Characteristics: Fine aromas, rich and balanced structure.
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More Varieties

All information has been provided by VineTech’s genetics providers.

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