The white grape variety originates from France. Synonyms are Barake, Baroca, Baroke, Barroque, Barroque Blanc, Bordalès, Bordelais Blanc, Boudalès, Folle, Muscadelle de Nantes, Petit Bordelais, Plant Bordelais and Sable Blanc (France), Bordeleza Zuria (Spain). According to Pierre Galet (1921-2019), it was brought from Spain by pilgrims on their way back from Santiago de Compostela ( Galicia region). The ancestry (parentage) is unknown. However, according to several DNA analyses, it is related to the varieties Courbu Blanc, Lauzet, Manseng Noir, Petit Courbu and Tannat. The assumption that it originated from a cross between Folle Blanche and Sauvignon Bl anc was not confirmed. Baroque was a crossing partner of the new varieties Liliorila, Odola, Semebat and Totmur. The grey-berried Baroque Rosé is a mutation.
The late-ripening vine is sensitive to drought, but resistant to powdery mildew and black rot. It produces high alcohol wines with strong acidity and aromas of pears. The variety was immensely popular in southwestern France in the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to its resistance to the fungal disease and still occupied about 5,700 hectares of vines in the late 1950s. However, this population has been extremely reduced since then. It is now only grown on small areas mainly in the Tursan area. In 2016, only 83 hectares of vines were reported with a continuing downward trend (Kym Anderson statistics).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Images: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
