The white grape variety originates from France. Synonyms are Aiguillon, Becquin, Bekin, Béquin, Blanc Laffite, Blanc Lafitte, Blanquette, Blanquette Aventice, Blanquette de Limoux, Blanquette Sucrée, Caspre, Clairac, Durancon, Gaillac, Gamet Blanc, Maousac, Mausac, Mausat, Mauza, Mauza Blanca, Mauzac, Moisac, Moissac, Moysac, Mozac, Mozak Belyi, Peron, Perrond, Plant de Gaillac, Primard, Queue Fort, Queue Roide and Sudunais. It must not be confused with the variety Ondenc (with synonym Béquin) or the morphologically similar Italian variety Torbato (Tourbat in Roussillon). The parentage is unknown. According to DNA analyses, the pink-berry variety Mauzac Rose is a colour mutation. Mauzac Blanc was a parent of the Négret Castrais variety. However, there is no relationship to the red variety Mauzac Noir. The late-maturing, frost-hardy vine is susceptible to black spot disease, eutypiosis, both types of powdery mildew and botrytis. It produces rustic, acidic white wines with an aroma of wilted apple peel.
The variety was first mentioned in 1736 under the name Mausat, which probably goes back to a commune near Toulouse. In Languedoc, it has been used for centuries to produce the sparkling wine Blanquette de Limoux under the name " Blanquette " (after the white dusted underside of the leaves). It is also permitted in the white wines Crémant de Limoux and Gaillac and is also used for the brandy Armagnac. The variety was widely planted in south-west France in the late 1950s, with 8,500 hectares of vines. In 2016, 1,526 hectares of vineyards were designated for Mauzac Blanc (Kym Anderson). A small population is also said to exist in California's Napa Valley.
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
