The red grape variety originates from France. Synonyms are Barvarica, Fréaux, Friaux, Gamay Fréaux, Gamay de Fréaux, Gamay Teinturier, Gamay Teinturier Crni, Game Barvarica, Teinturier de Couchey, Teinturier Fréaux and Violet de Saint-Denis. It was discovered in 1841 by the private grower Antoine Fréaux near the commune of Couchey in the Côte d'Or area of Burgundy. It is probably a mutation of the Gamay variety (and not Gamay Teinturier de Bouze, as previously suspected). The early-maturing vine is susceptible to botrytis, black spot disease, wood diseases and yellowing. It produces colourful red wines and is used as a Teinturier (colouring grape). In the 1950s, 1,700 hectares were still planted with it in Burgundy. Today it is only grown in smaller quantities on 43 hectares in France and 36 hectares in Moldova. In 2016, a total of 79 hectares of vines were reported (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)
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