Wines made from Bourboulenc grapes of Burgundy
Discover the best wines made with Bourboulenc as a single variety or as a blend of Burgundy.
Bourboulenc is mainly grown in the southern part of France. It is a white grape variety that ripens quite late. It can only be harvested around 25 September and for an average of only one month. Bourboulenc is particularly fond of low-lying, but at the same time warm and dry locations. The aroma of this grape variety is not very pronounced, but it has a certain exotic fruit and floral aroma such as broom. The result is a low alcohol wine with subtle and fleeting aromas. Blanquette, bourboulanc, bourboulenque, doucillon, clairette dorée and clairette blanche are all names that can designate bourboulenc. This grape variety is very sensitive to diseases common to all vine plants such as magnesium deficiency, mildew and oidium. Bourboulenc can be used as a table grape. Most French people keep the bunches until Christmas in order to present them on the festive table as desserts.
Bourgogne is the catch-all regional appellation title of the Burgundy wine region in eastern France ("Bourgogne" is the French name for Burgundy). Burgundy has a Complex and comprehensive appellation system; counting Premier Cru and Grand Cru titles, the region has over 700 appellation titles for its wines. Thus, Burgundy wines often come from one Vineyard (or several separate vineyards) without an appellation title specific to the region, Village or even vineyard. A standard Burgundy wine may be made from grapes grown in one or more of Burgundy's 300 communes.
At a national committee meeting held on Thursday 8th September, members of the Institut National de l’Origine et de la Qualité (INAO) voted unanimously to ratify the change to the appellation guidelines to allow white wines into AP Gigondas. A working group of growers and négociants has been pursuing the amendment for 11 years. The amendment states that white Gigondas must contain a minimum 70% Clairette. Other permitted varieties include Bourboulenc, Clairette Rose, Grenache Gris, Grenache Blan ...
In the same way that a private domaine can support a family, a co-operative winery can support an entire village. So when the Cave de Cairanne was effectively declared bankrupt in 2014, a whole community of growers was left hanging from a thread. ‘Closing a co-op is like closing a church. It supports businesses, families, generations,’ says Denis Crespo. He’s an unlikely saviour, as his roots are in natural winemaking. But he provided the necessary electric shock to get the co-op’s heart pumping ...
Christmas, famously, is not about religion any more. But as a Decanter reader, you’ll also know that it’s not about giving, family or food either. No, it’s about drink. The one time of year when we get to open the good stuff without anyone questioning what we’re doing. And of course, there’s no shortage of advice as to what form those bottles should take. Every year, hacks in newspapers, magazines and websites tell us how to make the big day go with a bang. But these don’t correspond with the re ...