Wines made from Seyval blanc grapes of France
Discover the best wines made with Seyval blanc as a single variety or as a blend of France.
A relative of the Saint Pepin, this direct-producing hybrid is the result of an interspecific cross between 5656 Seibel and Ray d'Or (4986 Seibel) obtained in 1921 by the Seyve-Villard company, formerly based in Saint Vallier (Drôme). Seyval blanc is registered in the official catalogue of wine grape varieties, list A. It can be found in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Australia, South Africa, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Germany, Romania, Switzerland, etc. It is practically non-existent in France and is in danger of disappearing.
France, home of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne, is arguably the world's largest wine-producing country. For centuries, it has produced more wine - and apparently better quality - than any other country. Wine is embedded in French culture at almost every level of society; it is the drink of the elite and the common people, and a key symbol of Roman Catholicism, the majority religion in France. However, the lasting appeal of French wine is not necessarily its Volume or prestige, but rather the variety of styles available.
When I have some time to myself in the southern Rhône, my favourite place to relax is the peaceful village of Gigondas. I had even more reason to visit this June, as the growers’ syndicate was celebrating the 50th anniversary of the appellation. Over a meal at Domaine du Clos des Tourelles, we had the opportunity to taste wines spanning five decades, including a remarkable 1971 that was still very much alive and kicking. Gigondas has long been recognised as an exceptional site for winemaking, bu ...
I haplessly strayed into this controversial territory last summer during a debate at the Paulée d’Anjou event, having noted a significant minority of VSIG producers (Vin Sans Indication Géographique, the customary French abbreviation for this category) in the Loire. It seemed a shame, I burbled innocently, not to make use of local appellations to build understanding of their unique character, as well as show solidarity with fellow growers. The room quietened a little; glances were exchanged. C ...
This was the first year that Pierre Clape, of Domaine Clape, had witnessed frost on the slopes of Cornas; from these parcels he lost 40% of his crop. On the flat, however, it was much worse – here he lost 90%. Like almost everybody else, he had to raise alcohol levels – here by adding concentrated must – to achieve 12% alcohol. The last time they had to do this was in 2008. Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for top-scoring Cornas & St-Péray 2021 wines See all 400 Rhône 2021 tasting ...