Menu Pineau

The white grape variety comes from France. Synonyms are Arbois Blanc (second main name), Blanc Verdet, Herbois, Menu, Menu Pineau de Vouvray, Menu Pinot, Orboe, Orbois, Orboue, Petit Pineau, Pinot Verdet and Verdet. It must not be confused with the varieties Chenin Blanc (Gros Pineau), Petit Meslier (Orbois) or Riesling, even though synonyms or morphological similarities may appear to indicate this. According to DNA analyses carried out in 2013, it comes from a presumably natural cross between Gouais Blanc (White Heunisch) x unknown partner. It was mentioned in 1530 by the Franciscan monk François Rabelais (1494-1553). The Arbois Rose variety is a colour mutation.

Menu Pineau (Arbois Blanc) - Weintraube und Blatt

The medium ripening vine is easily susceptible to botrytis. It is well suited to cool, climatic conditions. The variety produces rustic, spicy white wines with moderate acidity and apple aroma. Despite the synonym Arbois Blanc, it does not originate from the Arbois region in the Jura, but is mainly cultivated on the Loire. There it is registered in the appellations Cheverny, Touraine and Valençay and is often blended with the varieties Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc. In 2016, 197 hectares of vineyard were registered in France with a decreasing tendency (statistics Kym Anderson).

Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Pictures: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn Institute (JKI)

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Menu Pineau

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