Four new varieties have been born in France. And it’s really four brand new varieties. With names we have never heard of: gaminot, beaugaray, picarlat and granita. These are crossings that have been made at the request of winegrowers in the Beaujolais and Mâcon. The requests were made in the 1970s, but, as we all know, making a crossing is something very time consuming and complicated. Let us just hope that the need for these new varieties is still there.
Gaminot is a cross between gamay and pinot noir. These grapes already have a past together through Burgundy Passetoutgrains. Maybe gaminot has something of the same character. According to www.mon-viti.com the wines from gaminot have more colour and texture than pinot noir and the generous fruit of gamay.
Pinot noir and the German grape heroldrebe (which is also a crossing) have been used to produce beaugaray, a grape that will produce very aromatic wines.
Granita has been obtained by a crossing of auxerrois and portugais bleu.
Picarlat is a crossing between gamay and cabernet sauvignon. Picarlat will provide well-structured wines with tannins and colour but also a lot of fruit. It is primarily intended to be used in blends.
If these grapes are approved they will be allowed to be grown throughout France and produce wine in the Vin de France category. Decision will be taken in December this year.
