The white grape variety originates from France. Synonyms are Blanc de Villefranche, Bury, Celle Bruere, Dameret Blanc, Dameri, Damery, Daneri, Danneri, Dannery, Dannesi, Dannezy, Framboisé, Gros Blanc, Gros Blanc de Villefranche, Gros Plant de Villefranche, Lyonnaise Blanche, Maclon, Petit Dannezy, Petit Mâconnais, Plant de Breze, Ramorantin, Romoranten, Romorantin Blanc, Saint Amand and Verneuil. According to 2013 DNA analyses, it originated from a presumed natural cross Pinot ( Pinot Teinturier was identified after another analysis) x Gouais Blanc. However, this is based on only 20 DNA markers (see Molecular genetics for more information). The variety is named after the commune of the same name in the Loir-et-Cher department in central France. It was here that the French king François I. (1494-1547) owned a country estate. Allegedly, he had about 80,000 vines imported there from Burgundy in 1519. According to a hypothesis, the Romorantin variety was among them. It was probably brought to the commune of Villefranche-sur-Cher by an unknown winegrower around 1830 and then spread throughout the département thanks to its good qualities.
This medium-ripening, high-yielding vine yields full-bodied, fresh white wines with varied aromas of pears, apples and caraway. In 1993, the appellation Cour-Cheverny was established for the variety on the left bank of the Loire. In the Domaine de la Charmoise estate, in the commune of Soings-en-Sologne, in the Touraine region, there is a small parcel of ungrafted old vines of this variety dating back to 1850. In 2016, a total of 69 hectares of vines were reported in the Loir-et-Cher department, with a slight downward trend (Kym Anderson statistics).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd 2012
Images: Pl@ntGrape, INRA/IFV/Montpellier SupAgro
