Meslier-Saint-François

Meslier -Saint -François is an ancient white grape variety that is grown in the wine region of Sud -Ouest in the southwest of France. It is approved in various departments for commercial viticulture, but is rarely used. In 1998, an area under vines was charged by under 70 hectares after in 1958 were still 2,322 hectares under income. In Sud- Ouest, the variety appears frequently in the mixed set.

The white wines are light, very basic and have a strong acid. A subordinate role of the grape in the production of Armagnac and Cognac.

A 1999 Carole Meredith conducted, large-scale DNA analysis with 352 varieties it can be concluded that the variety Meslier -Saint -François is a natural hybrid of sorts Gouais Blanc and Chenin Blanc. From the same survey showed that the varieties Colombard and Balzac Blanc similar Meslier -Saint -François, all originated from spontaneous crosses between Gouais Blanc and Chenin Blanc.

See also the article viticulture in France and the list of grape varieties.

Ethnicity: Gouais Blanc Chenin Blanc x

Ampelographic varietal characteristics

In the ampelography the habit is described as follows:

• The shoot tip is open. She is strong whitish hairs with slightly reddish approach. The green, slightly yellowish young leaves are hairy medium strong.
• The medium-sized leaves ( see also the article sheet form) are indented five lobes and strong. The petiole closed lyrenförmig. The leaf margin is serrated medium strong. The leaf surface, also called leaf blade is blistered coarse.
• The cone or cylinder-shaped bunch is medium to large in size, dichtbeerig and rarely shouldered. The roundish to slightly oval berries are medium to large in size and of a greenish-yellow color.

Meslier -Saint -François is susceptible to powdery mildew and the raw rot. Sufficiently resistant the variety is, however, against downy mildew. The yields are at high 100 hectoliters / hectare or a bit higher.

In France, so far no clones were selected and recognized. The grape Meslier -Saint -François matures about 15 - 20 days after Chasselas, making it relatively quick maturing.

Synonyms

Due to its formerly widespread the list of synonyms is quite detailed. Meslier -Saint -François is also known under the following names: Anereau, Annereau, Blanc Rame Blanc ramet, Bonne blanche, Bordeaux blanc, Chalosse, Chalosse de Bordeaux, François Blanc, Gros Meslier, Big blanche, Meslier, Meslier blanc, Meslier d ' Orleans, Meslier de Seine et Oise, Meslier du Gâtinais, Meslier du Gers, Meslier wholesale, Meslier jaune, vert Meslier, Pelgarie, Pot de vin, Purgarie and Rochelin.