The white grape variety comes from France. Synonyms are Balzard Blanc, Balzat, Blanc Limousin, Margnac Blanc and Ressière. According to DNA analyses carried out at the University of California in 2000, it is a (natural) cross between Gouais Blanc (Heunisch) x Chenin Blanc. Other varieties with the same parents are Colombard and Meslier Saint-François. A previously suspected relationship to the red variety Monastrell (synonym Balzac Noir) was not confirmed. The variety was first mentioned by E. Boutard in 1842 in the "Catalogue des espèces de vignes". The medium ripening vine is susceptible to both types of mildew. It is almost extinct and is cultivated in only small quantities in south-west France in the department of Charente. In 2016, however, no stock was recorded (Kym Anderson).
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