Seyval blanc
Variety of grape
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Seyval blanc (French pronunciation: [sɛval blɑ̃]; or Seyve-Villard hybrid number 5276[1]) is a hybrid wine grape variety used to make white wines. Its vines ripen early, are productive and are suited to fairly cool climates.[1] Seyval blanc is grown mainly in England,[2][3] the United States East Coast (specifically the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, Lake Erie AVA in Pennsylvania,[2] regions in Ohio and Virginia), in the Pacific Northwest (Oregon[4]), as well as to a lesser extent in Canada.[1] Seyval blanc was created either by Bertille Seyve, or his son-in-law Villard, as a cross of Seibel 5656 and Rayon d'Or (Seibel 4986),[5] and was used to create the hybrid grape St. Pepin. Seyve and Villard used the same Rayon d'Or x Seibel 5656 crossing to produce the red wine grape Seyval noir.[6]
| Seyval blanc | |
|---|---|
| Grape (Vitis) | |
Seyval blanc grapes prior to veraison. | |
| Color of berry skin | Blanc |
| Species | French hybrid (50% Vitis vinifera; 37% Vitis rupestris; 13% Vitis licencumii ) |
| Also called | SV 5276, Seyval |
| Origin | France |
| Notable regions | England, Wales, Canada, USA. |
| Hazards | Botrytis in wet years when very ripe |
| VIVC number | 11558 |
Since it contains some non-vinifera genes, Seyval blanc is outlawed by the EU authorities for quality wine production, which was an issue of conflict with the English wine industry.[1]
Wine styles
Seyval blanc has a characteristic citrus element in the aroma and taste, as well as a minerality that may be compared to white Burgundy.[2] It is often oaked and subjected to a stage of malolactic fermentation.[2]