Chauché Gris, which could be considered an ampelographic relic, sheds captivating light on the forgotten varietal richness of the French vineyard. This variety is a grey mutation of Trousseau, an emblematic grape from the Jura. However, its history dates back much further to the Middle Ages, when it enjoyed its heyday.

In the Charentais region of Aunis, Chauché Gris was once a grape variety of great renown. The wines it yielded were so prized that they reached the table of King Henry II. La Rochelle, then a flourishing port, extensively exported these nectars to England and northern countries, testifying to their prestige. Unfortunately, the terrible winter of 1709 and its devastating frosts dealt a fatal blow to the Charentais vineyard. Replanting was subsequently carried out with more productive varieties, consigning Chauché Gris to oblivion.

A reappearance and ongoing questions

It was only thanks to meticulous surveys in the Charentes that vines of this forgotten variety were identified. Ampelographer Thierry Lacombe was able to confirm that it was indeed Trousseau Gris, shedding new light on its past. In Bordeaux, its history remains more enigmatic. Twentieth-century surveys failed to find it, and nineteenth-century authors did not mention it explicitly. However, hope remains.

Inventories carried out between 1782 and 1784 at the request of Nicolas Dupré de Saint-Maur, in the subdelegation of Bazas, note the existence of "Chaussé gris et noir". Is it the same grape variety? The question remains open, but this mention suggests a plausible, overlooked presence in historic Bordeaux, as Jean-Baptiste Duquesne highlights in his book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages".

Ampelographic profile

Characteristic	Description
Budburst	Early, 1 day after Chasselas.
Ripening	First epoch, approximately 1.5 weeks after Chasselas.
Vigour	Not specified, but comparable to its parent Trousseau.
Growth habit	Not specified.
Downy mildew susceptibility	Not specified.
Powdery mildew susceptibility	Not specified.
Botrytis susceptibility	Not specified.
Black rot susceptibility	Not specified.
Aromatic profile	Not specified for Chauché Gris, but the wines were historically appreciated.
Winemaking potential	Historically used for wines exported to England and Northern Europe.

Chauché Gris is distinguished by its early budburst and first-epoch ripening. These characteristics make it an interesting variety for winemakers exploring the diversity of their terroirs and adapting to climate challenges. Its revival is part of an approach to preserving viticultural heritage and rediscovering flavours of the past. Its kinship with Chauché Noir, also historically linked to the Jura and present in Dupré de Saint-Maur's inventories, adds to the appeal of these lesser-known varieties. To explore other forgotten grape varieties, we invite you to discover The Béquignol Gris grape variety and The Sauvignon Gris grape variety.

At Château Cazebonne, we are committed to preserving forgotten grape varieties such as Chauché Gris. This approach is part of our drive to revive the tastes and aromas that shaped the identity of Bordeaux wines for centuries. We are replanting these lost varieties, thereby breathing life back into an unsuspected palette of flavours and adding a new dimension to our viticultural heritage. This work of memory and perseverance is only possible thanks to the invaluable support of the many enthusiasts who have embraced our wines and share our passion. To deepen your knowledge of this fascinating history, we invite you to download our book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages" or test your knowledge of Bordeaux grape varieties by taking part in our wine quizzes, before discovering our cuvées crafted from these rediscovered varieties in our online boutique.