Auxerrois Blanc

Auxerrois 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

Auxerrois Blanc is thought to have originated in Lorraine, rather than near Auxerre in the Yonne. Recent DNA fingerprinting suggests that it is a cross between Gouais blanc and Pinot, the same ancestry as Chardonnay. The name Auxerrois Blanc has actually been used as a synonym for Chardonnay in the Moselle region in France, which explains why there is also a longer name (Auxerrois Blanc de Laquenexy) for the grape variety.

Distribution and Wines

Seldom seen in the New World, a little is grown in Canada and South Africa.

France

France's of Auxerrois Blanc are mostly in Alsace, with some in the Côtes de Toul of Lorraine. It is mostly blended into wines called "Pinot Blanc" (which may actullay consist of Auxerrois Blanc, the variety Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir vinified white). It is an important component of Crémant d'Alsace.

Germany and Luxembourg

Some is grown in Germany and Luxembourg, where it is known simply as Auxerrois.

Vine and Viticulture

It favours limestone soils, and ripens a little earlier than Pinot blanc. It has small compact bunches.

Synonyms

Arboisier, Arnaison Blanc, Arnoison, Aubaine, Auvergnat Blanc, Auvernas Blanc, Auvernat Blanc, Auxois Blanc, Bargeois Blanc, Beaunois, Blanc De Champagne, Breisgauer Sussling, Burgundi Feher, Chablis, Chardennet, Chardonnay Blanc, Chatey Petit, Chaudenet, Claevner, Clevner Weiss, Epinette Blanche, Epinette De Champagne, Ericey Blanc, Feher Chardonnay, Feherburgundi, Feinburgunder, Gamay Blanc, Gelber Weissburgunder, Gentil Blanc, Grosse Bourgogne, Klawner, Klevanjka Biela, Lisant, Luisant, Luizannais, Luizant, Luzannois, Maconnais, Maurillon Blanc, Melon Blanc, Melon D'Arbois, Moreau Blanc, Morillon Blanc, Moulon, Noirien Blanc, Petit Chatey, Petit Sainte-marie, Pino Shardone, Pinot Blanc A Cramant, Pinot Blanc Chardonnay, Pinot Chardonnay, Plant De Tonnerre, Romere, Romeret, Rouci Bile, Rousseau, Roussot, Rulander Weiss, Sainte Marie Petite, Sardone, Shardone, Weiss Silber, Weissedler, Auxerrois blanc de Laquenexy and Auxerrois de Laquenexy.

See also

• Pinot gris - known as Auxerrois gris

Notes and references

Further reading

• Robinson, Jancis Vines, Grapes & Wines Mitchell Beazley 1986 ISBN 1857329996