Among the grape varieties worthy of rediscovery and celebration, Crouchen holds a special place. Originating from the foothills of the Adour Basin, this white grape variety once flourished far beyond its native land, spreading notably throughout the South-West and the Landes. Known under various local names, such as Cruchen, Sable blanc, or Cougnet, it has endured through the centuries, carrying within it a piece of French viticultural history.

Crouchen is a late-budding grape variety, protecting it from spring frosts, and its mid-late ripening (second epoch) ensures a slow development of its aromas, guaranteeing remarkable complexity. It thrives on well-exposed sites, favouring gravelly and sandy terroirs. These ideal conditions foster the expression of its intrinsic qualities, yielding wines of singular finesse. However, its history has not been without challenges. As highlighted in the book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages" by Jean-Baptiste Duquesne, the late 19th century was particularly harsh for Crouchen, when its susceptibility to diseases such as powdery mildew (oïdium), downy mildew, and grey rot almost caused it to vanish from the viticultural landscape.

Despite these vulnerabilities, Crouchen endured, championed by a handful of passionate growers. It typically produces dry, elegant, and aromatic white wines, often characterised by floral notes, citrus, and a fine minerality. It is this aromatic richness and unique character that we strive to preserve and magnify at Château Cazebonne.

Ampelographic profile

Characteristic	Description
Budburst	Late, 8 days after Chasselas
Flowering	2–3 days after Chasselas
Véraison	Late
Ripening	Second epoch (mid-late), 3 to 4 weeks after Chasselas
Vigour	Medium to high
Growth habit	Semi-erect
Susceptibility to downy mildew	Moderately susceptible
Susceptibility to powdery mildew	Moderately susceptible
Susceptibility to botrytis	Susceptible
Susceptibility to black rot	Susceptible
Aromatic profile	Floral notes, citrus (lemon, grapefruit), minerality, white-fleshed fruit (pear)
Winemaking potential	Dry, elegant, aromatic white wines with good acidity and ageing potential. Can also be crafted into sweet (moelleux) styles.

Our commitment to historic grape varieties such as Crouchen is part of a broader rediscovery initiative. This is why we are also interested in varieties such as the Béquignol blanc grape variety, the Béquignol gris grape variety, or Pinot Noir, sometimes overlooked in the modern Bordeaux landscape. This approach is not limited to varieties historically present in the Gironde; we are also exploring avenues with varieties from further afield like Assyrtiko, or climate-change-resilient varieties such as Touriga Nacional. Crouchen shares a similar history with many lost Bordeaux grape varieties that were once hallmarks of the region before fading into obscurity. We invite you to also discover the Jurançon blanc grape variety as well as the Len de l'El grape variety, and of course, the Ondenc grape variety, or the Sauternes grape variety, other examples of ampelographic wealth. Our work helps bring this viticultural heritage back to life, just as with the Blanc Auba grape variety.

At Château Cazebonne, we are dedicated to replanting and showcasing these grape varieties that shaped the identity of Bordeaux wines for centuries. This work of remembrance and perseverance is only made possible by the invaluable support of the wine enthusiasts who embrace our wines and share our passion for reviving Bordeaux’s viticultural heritage. To delve deeper into this fascinating history, Jean-Baptiste Duquesne published the book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages", of which you can download the digital version. We also invite you to test your knowledge via our wine quizzes, and of course, discover our cuvées crafted from these rediscovered varieties by visiting the Cazebonne online shop.