The white grape variety originates from France. Synonyms are Annereau, Blanc Ramé, Blanc Ramét, Blayais, Bordeaux Blanc, Chalosse, Chalosse de Bordeaux, François Blanc, Gaillac, Gros Meslier, Meslier, Meslier Blanc, Meslier de Seine et Oise, Meslier d'Orléans, Meslier du Gatinais, Meslier du Gers, Meslier Gros, Meslier Jaune, Meslier Vert, Moscade, Moscadet, Pelegarie, Pelgarie and Purgarie. It should not be confused with Folle Blanche, Petit Meslier (Meslier Vert), Prúeras (Annereau) or Roublot (Meslier) because of seemingly suggestive synonyms or morphological similarities. There is also no connection with the red variety Meslier Noir. According to DNA analyses carried out in 2018, it is probably a natural cross between Gouais Blanc x Chenin Blanc. Incidentally, the same parents also gave rise to the Balzac Blanc and Colombard varieties. A somatic mutation with reddish berries is Meslier Rose.
A vine called Meslier was first mentioned in 1512 in a document from the abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés near Paris. According to Pierre Galet (1921-2019), it spread from the Seine-et-Marne department in the north to the Loire, Burgundy, Champagne and south-west France. The medium-ripening vine is susceptible to botrytis and grape rot. It yields low-alcohol neutral white wines. In the past, it was also used for the production of the two wine brandies Armagnac and Cognac. Today, the variety is mainly cultivated in the departments of Gers and Charente, where it is approved for the liqueur Pineau des Charentes. In 2016, 13 hectares of vines were designated (Kym Anderson).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Images: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
