MUSCAT
They are in fact two sometimes vinified type of vines separately, but generally together. Rosy Muscat of Alsace, twin brother of the varieties which are used to work out the natural sweet wines of the southernmost countries, and the White Muscat Ottonel which adapts better to the septentrional areas.

RIESLING
It is undoubtedly the only seedling which can compete with Chardonnay as regards the production white wines. Major type of vine of Germany, it opens out well in the north of Italy as well as in the United States but perhaps still better into Alsace and that results in a ceaseless progression of its establishment which passed from 13% on the whole of the soil in 1969, to nearly 20% nowadays. This fair grape with the small gilded spots provides a dry and fruity white wine which in the great years, can be gathered the grapes tardily.

PINOT GRIS or TOKAY of ALSACE
Small blue/gray grape, Pinot Gris is also named Tokay of Alsace. It seems that it is an error to regard it as resulting from Hungarian Tokay which is in fact Furmin and not Pinot.
These four type of vines, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Muscat, constitute the elite of the Alsatian seedlings to such sign that they are the only ones with being able to profit from name "Alsace Grand Cru (Vintage)". They can also profit from two mentions : vendanges tardives (late grape harvest) and sélection de grains nobles (noble grains selection) which imply that the grapes were collected only after the action of the "noble rot" and that making of the wine was subjected to a strict control of the National Institute of the Labels of origin.
Let us announce also Edelzwicker, delicious assembly of best type of vines of Alsace.

CHASSELAS
It is a type of vine in strong regression in Alsace. This seedling which owes its name with a hamlet of the Saone-and-Loire, was introduced by the Romans via Switzerland. The wines which of it result, appear light white and expenses which one names Chasselas or Gutedel.

PINOT BLANC
True Pinot Blanc or Pinot Auxerrois is two close type of vines which one definitively differentiated from Chardonnay towards the end of the last century. The wines resulting from these type of vines are called Pinot or Klevner and shows flexible white with the light bouquet.

PINOT NOIR
It is known : it is the extraordinary seedling of the great reds of Burgundy and that which takes part in the glory of Champagnes. In Alsace, it does not seem to adapt with as much brilliance.
Nevertheless, the wine red and the wine rosé of Pinot Noir himself affirm as some excellent product that many amateur appreciate with more high point, especially when they be be useful fresh.

SYLVANER
This Austrian seedling was introduced in Alsace about the middle of the last century. It is very resistant and its outputs are as high as regular. The type of vine Sylvaner, although in regression, remains nevertheless more established of all Alsace since it currently represents even more than 20% of total vineyards.

BORDEAUX
REDS

CABERNET FRANC
Star of vine of the Loire wines (Bourgueil, Chinon, Saumur Champigny), it is a vigorous seedling which puts up well with various varieties of grounds and which resists the frosts because not very early. Associated with Merlot, it provides to Pomerol and Saint-Émilion fine wines and of good guard.

CABERNET-SAUVIGNON
Not very productive and sensitive to the oïdium, this grape with the long bluish bunches adapts perfectly to the thin, dry and gravelly grounds. It provides solid and coloured wines which require to age lengthily and which acquire of this fact an incomparable delicacy.
CARMÉNERE and PETIT VERDOT
Two type of vines in the process of disappearance or practically disappeared. The " small verdot " meets still sometimes in Margaux where it brings more energy than smoothness.

COT or MALBEC
Vigorous and productive, the " côt ", otherwise "malbec", doesn't like the sand grounds and prefer the argillaceous ones. It gives very coloured and tannic wines. Still present sometimes out of Graves and to Pauillac, it gradually yields the place to Merlot, and it east can be a pity.

MERLOT
It is a little Gamay of Bordeaux : very productive type of vine since it can give up to 80 hl/ha, it brings moreover a good alcoholic content but lack notably of body and behaviour to ageing. Associated with the Cabernet Franc, it allows Saint-Émilion and Pomerol remarkable wine making.

WHITES

MUSCADELLE
Type of vine remaining in Serious white and Sauternes which brings an interesting perfume.

SAUVIGNON
It is one of oldest French type of vines. Enough not very productive, it however provides to the very appreciated wine fruity, especially when it is associated with the "Sémillon".
It is obviously the type of vine illustrissime of Sancerre and the Pouilly-on-Loire.

SÉMILLON
Originating in Sauternes, this type of vine vigorous is one of most widespread in France. Its aptitude to take the " noble rot " (Botrytis Cinerea) makes of it the ideal seedling for the development of liqueur-like white wines, and particularly of Sauternes. It is associated often, in Graves and Sauternes, with Sauvignon.

BURGUNDY
REDS
CESAR
Very old vine and extremely rare which, associated with Pinot Noir allows the development of Bourgogne-Irancy.

GAMAY
Prohibited in Cote-d'Or where it appeared for the first time in France, this type of vine is still present in Mâconnais and gives excellent results on the granitic grounds of the Beaujolais wine.

PINOT GRIS
Also named Pinot Burot because its color is connected with that of the frock of the monks, it is rarely used in Burgundy just like an accessory of Pinot Noir in the preparation of the rosé wines.

PINOT NOIR
Its short bunches resembles pine cones, from where its name of Pinot. It is the obligatory and single type of vine red vintages of Burgundy. It found here, just as out of Champagne, its territory of election.

WHITES
ALIGOTE
Still very widespread on the grounds where Chardonnay is acclimatized badly, it gives a white wine of good output and average quality.

CHARDONNAY
It holds its name of a village of Mâconnais. Its small gilded bunches are, do not forget it, at the origin of the best dry white wines of France, of Champagne and the most prestigious American white wines and in general of the world.

MELON OF BURGUNDY
Called today Muscadet wine, it is in the process of disappearance in its fatherland of origin.

PINOT BLANC
This type of vine covers only a few hectares and can be associated with Chardonnay in the development of white Mâcon.

SAUVIGNON
This type of vine, come as a neighbor from his natural soil from the Center-Loire, provides some wines sympathetic nerves in the Yonne department.

COTES DU RHONE AND PROVENCE / CORSICA

REDS AND ROSÉS (In underlined the most widespread type of vines)
BARBAROSSA
BARBAROUX (other name of Barbarossa)
BRAQUET
BRUN-FOURCAT
CABERNET-SAUVIGNON
CALITOR
CAMARESE
CARIGNAN
CASTETS
CINSAUT
COUNOISE
DURIF
FOLLE NOIRE
FUELLA (other name of Folle noire)
GAMAY NOIR A JUS BLANC
GRENACHE NOIR
MANOSQUIN
MOURVEDRE
MUSCARDIN
NIELLUCCIO
PETIT-BRUN
PICARDAN
PICPOUL NOIR
PIQUEPOUL (other orthography of Picpoul)
PINOT NOIR
SCIACARELLO
SYRAH
TÉOULER (other name of Manosquin)
TERRET GRIS
TERRET NOIR
TIBOUREN
VACCARESE

WHITES (In underlined the most widespread type of vines)
ALIGOTÉ
ARAGNAN
BOURBOULENC
CHARDONNAY
CLAIRETTE
COLOMBARD
DOUCILLON
GRENACHE BLANC
MACCABÉO
MARSANNE
MAUZAC
MAYORQUIN
MUSCAT BLANC
PASCAL BLANC
PICPOUL BLANC
PIGNEROL
PINOT BLANC
ROLLE
ROUSSAN (name sometimes given to Roussanne)
ROUSSANNE
SAUVIGNON
SÉMILLON
TERRET-BOURRET
TOCKAY DE PROVENCE
UGNI BLANC
UGNI ROSÉ
VERMENTINO (other name of Rolle)
VIOGNIER

CHAMPAGNE
REDS
PINOT MEUNIER
It occupies 45% of the vineyard. It is a relatively rustic grape less fine than two other type of vines, but cultivated for its resistance and its adaptation to the climate.

PINOT NOIR
It occupies more than 30% of the vineyard. It is a bluish black grape with white juice, which, in a hurry quickly, is not prone to maceration and does not dye the wine. One especially cultivates it in the mountain of Rheims in particular in the sector of Bouzy. It is generally assembled with two other type of vines.

BLANC
CHARDONNAY
This type of vine represents the quarter of the vineyard and is more particularly cultivated on the "Côte de Blancs". Vinified only, Chardonnay gives the "Blanc de Blancs".

JURA
REDS
PINOT NOIR
It is, like Chardonnay, an imported type of vine of Burgundy but this acclimatization is very old since it dates from XVth century. It is seldom employed and frequently is only associated with Poulsard to raise its color and its frame.

POULSARD
Very old. One quotes it as of XIIIth century. It represents nearly 20% of planted surface. Only, it is a red wine clearly that one would take for a rosé one. It is also associated with other type of vines.

TROUSSEAU
Very sweetened, it pushes by predilection in the vineyards of north around Arbois. Its vineyards do not exceed 5% of surface. Only, it gives a wine of very long guard. It is associated with different type of vines for the development of reds, rosé and sparkling.

WHITES
CHARDONNAY or MELON of ARBOIS
It is the type of vine more cultivated with 45% of surfaces. Originating in Burgundy, it matures in mid-September and is very sweetened. Employee alone, it gives very floral, fruity wines and gouleyants. he is sometimes associated with Savagnin.

SAVAGNIN or NATURE
It is the preferred type of vine of the vine growers of the Jura. It accounts for 15% of vines and it is him which generates the famous "vin jaune". It vintage very ripe and it then reaches a high degree: 300 sugar gr. per liter is close to alcohol 15°.

LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON
REDS
ARAMON
It are in the process of regression since in 30 years it passed from 150 000 to 35 000 hectares. The Aramon which, at the beginning of the century, got considerable poor wine outputs (up to 250 hl/ha) was the king of the vineyard.

CARIGNAN
It is the type of vine traditional of "Midi" of France, easy to raise, not very fragile, cultivated with outputs limited on schistous grounds, it gives wines vigorous, full, with a beautiful color and powerful flavours. It loses ground with the profit of Syrah.

CINSAULT
Traditional type of vine, cultivated under poor yield, it gives a wine slightly coloured, marrowy and fine.

GRENACHE
Resistant to the dryness and cultivated with poor yield, it provides a wine coloured, rich in alcohol, bouqueté and powerful but which oxidizes quickly into growing old. This characteristic with becoming tuilé and maderized is on the other hand a quality sought for the sweet wines of Roussillon.

MERLOT and CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Unknown here 30 years before, these type of vines of Bordeaux give an alcoholic complement with fine and balanced flavours when they are assembled with other type of vines.

MOURVEDRE
Old type of vine, it has a good aptitude for ageing.

SYRAH
Of more delicate culture, this type of vine, in full growth in the vineyards of "Midi de la France", gives a tannic wine, with a dark color, a red fruit flavours, suited for ageing.

WHITES
Little used but many and varied, they are contained in quiet and sparkling white. The production of white is only about 5 % compared to the whole of the wines.
BOURBOULENC
GRENACHE BLANC
MACCABEU
MAUZAC

MUSCAT
Primarily used for the sweet wines of Rivesaltes, Banyuls, Frontignan.

PICPOUL
TOURBAT
UGNI BLANC

Percentages of vines :
Carignan : 40 %
Grenache : 12%
Cinsault : 12%
Aramon : 12%
Syrah : 10%
Merlot : 6%
Cabernet Sauvignon : 4%

Others : 8 %

LOIRE

REDS AND ROSÉS
CABERNET-FRANC
Used like one of principal type of vines in Touraine, Anjou-Saumur and Nantes Country.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Used like one of principal type of vines in Touraine, Anjou-Saumur and Nantes Country.

COT
Used incidentally in Touraine and Anjou-Saumur.

GAMAY of CHAUDENEY
Used incidentally in Touraine.

GAMAY NOIR with WHITE JUICE
Used like principal type of vine in Limagne, one of principal type of vines in the vineyard of the France Center, in Touraine and Nantes Country, and incidentally in Anjou-Saumur.

GROLLEAU
Used incidentally in Touraine and Anjou-Saumur.

MERLOT
Used incidentally in Touraine.

PINEAU of AUNIS
Used incidentally in Touraine and Anjou-Saumur.

PINOT GRIS
Used incidentally in the Vineyard of the Center and in Touraine.

PINOT MEUNIER
Used incidentally in the Vineyard of the Center and in Touraine.

PINOT NOIR
Used like one of principal type of vines in the vineyard of the Center and in Touraine, and incidentally in Limagne and Anjou-Saumur.

WHITES
ALIGOTÉ
Used incidentally in Limagne.

ARBOIS
Used incidentally in Touraine.

AUVERGNAT GRIS
Used incidentally in the Vineyard of the Center.

CHARDONNAY
Used like principal type of vine in Limagne and incidentally in the vineyard of the Center, in Touraine and Anjou-Saumur.

CHASSELAS
Used like one of principal type of vines in the Vineyard of the Center.

CHENIN BLANC
Other name of Pineau of the Loire, used like principal type of vine in Anjou-Saumur, one of principal type of vines in Touraine and incidentally in the Vineyard of the Center.

FOLLE-BLANCHE
Different name of the "Gros Plant", used exclusively in Nantes Country.

GROS PLANT
See "Folle-blanche".

MELON of BOURGOGNE
Other name of the Muscadet wine, used exclusively in Nantes Country.

MUSCADET
See "Melon of Bourgogne".

PINOT BLANC
Used incidentally in Touraine.

PINEAU of the LOIRE
See "Chenin blanc".

ROMORANTIN
Used incidentally in Limagne.

SAINT-PIERRE
Used incidentally in Limagne.

SAUVIGNON
Used like one of principal type of vines in the vineyard of the Center of the France and in Touraine, and accessory in Limagne and Anjou-Saumur.

TRESSALIER
Used incidentally in Limagne.

SAVOY
Savoy counts 21 type of vines which compose the classified wines Controlled (AOC) but good number of them are in the process of disappearance, like the "Persan" for the reds, or confidential, like the "Molette" in the white.
REDS
GAMAY NOIR
Introduced in Savoy after the invasion of phylloxéra at the end of XIXth century, it gives a wine clear, fresh, fruity and pleasant. It is a wine with drinking young, except for "Gamay de Chautagne", firm and powerful which can age three or four years. It is the red type of vine more cultivated in Savoy.

MONDEUSE
It is the local type of vine par excellence, late type of vine, tannic and provided in flavours and which gives red wines good typified, of good guard, five years or more, with flavours of strawberry, raspberry and violet. Enter in particular the cultivated wines, the combe of Savoy: Arbin, Chignin, Jongieux and St Jean de la Porte.

PINOT NOIR
Recently introduced in Savoy it gives an original wine, with the subtle taste.

WHITES
ALTESSE or ROUSSETTE
Thus named because it would have been brought back from Cyprus to the Middle Ages by the Countess of Lusignan which was to marry the Duke of Savoy. He is also known under the name of Roussette. Type of vine of poor yield (25 to 40 hectolitres with the hectare), it gives a wine of great class, harmonious and balanced, suited to ageing.

CHASSELAS
Early type of vine, it is especially cultivated on banks of the lake Léman. It gives light and nervous wines, with drinking young. Cultivated on dregs, it becomes beading.

CHARDONNAY
When it is vinified alone, it is a wine of guard. Generally, it is associated to the "Altesse" in a proportion of 50%. It gives the Roussette of Savoy.

BERGERON or ROUSSANE
Very ripe harvested. It is cultivated only in Chignin where it produces a wine of very great class: Chignin-Bergeron which is suited to ageing during several years.

GRINGET
Cultivated exclusively in valley of Arve in Haute-Savoie, it constitutes the base of the vintage of sparkling Ayze wine.

JACQUERE or PLAN DES ABYMES
Called of Abymes, introduced in Savoy towards XIIth century, it is the principal type of vine of the Savoyard vineyard. It forms the basis for the vintages of Apremont, Abymes, Chignin, Cruet, Montmélian and St Jeoire-Prioré. It matures tardily and gives wines very clear, light, fruity, with flint taste and which is with being drunk young. Sometimes one vinifies it while beading or in sparkling wine.

SUD-OUEST

The seniority of the vineyard, local particularisms and undoubtedly the weight of the traditions make vineyards of South-west a true museum of type of vines of the last centuries. Indeed, one does not count less than 60 different, unquestionable type of vines unknown in other wine areas, cultivated most of the time in confidential quantities. Here those which I could count but while seeking well, one must be able to unearth

REDS (In underlined the most widespread type of vines)
ABOURIOU
ALICANTE
ARAMON
BOUCHALES
CABERNET FRANC
CABERNET-SAUVIGNON
CARIGNAN
CHAMBOURSIN
CINSAUT
COUDERC NOIR
COURBU NOIR
DURAS
FER
GAMAY
GARONNET
JURANCON NOIR
MALBEC
MANSENC NOIR
MÉRILLE
MERLOT NOIR
MILGRANET
MORTERILLE
NÉGRETTE
PLANTET
PORTUGAIS BLEU
SYRAH
TANNAT
VALDIGUIER
VAROUSSET
VILLARD NOIR

WHITES (In underlined the most widespread type of vines)
ARRUFIAC
BACO
BAROQUE
CAMARALET
CHALOSSE
CHENIN BLANC
CLAIRETTE
CLAVERIE
COLOMBARD
ENRAGEAT
FOLLE BLANCHE
GRAISSE
JURANCON BLANC
LAUZET
LEN DE L'EL
LISTAN
MANSENC
MAUZAC
MERLOT BLANC
MESLIER ST FRANCOIS
MUSCADELLE
ONDENC
RAFFIAT
ROUCHELEIN
SAUVIGNON
SÉMILLON
VILLARD BLANC
UGNI BLANC