Mauzac is an ancient white grape variety, renowned for its hardiness and ability to adapt to cool terroirs. Long cultivated in South-West France, particularly in the Gaillac and Limoux regions, it produces dry, sparkling, and sweet wines, offering a wonderful diversity of expressions.

Mauzac has a rich history, appearing under various local names over the centuries. Historical records attest to its presence as early as the 16th century, through Antoine Antiquamareta's "Livre de raison" in 1522, as well as 18th-century ampelographic surveys such as Dupré de Saint-Maur's in 1782 and Secondat de Montesquieu's memoir in 1785. At the time, it was sometimes referred to as Blanquette in Limoux, although this synonym is now considered inaccurate, with Blanquette most commonly associated with the Clairette Blanche grape variety.

Ampelographic profile

Characteristic	Description
Budburst	Early
Flowering	Early
Véraison	Early to mid-season
Ripening	Late first period (Mauzac Blanc) or earlier (Mauzac Rose)
Vigour	Medium to high, erect growth habit for certain variations such as Mauzac Dur
Growth habit	Erect
Downy mildew susceptibility	Moderately susceptible
Powdery mildew susceptibility	Fairly good resistance
Botrytis susceptibility	Moderately susceptible
Black rot susceptibility	Moderately susceptible
Aromatic profile	Notes of green apple, pear, hawthorn, linden, and occasionally honeyed nuances in sweet wines.
Winemaking potential	Used to produce dry, semi-sparkling (perlant), sparkling (ancestral or traditional method), and sweet wines. Good acidity and structure.

Mauzac is characterised by small to medium-small, whole or nearly whole, highly convoluted and bullate leaves. Young shoots are rigid, while lignified shoots are angular and sinuous. Shoot lignification is often late and incomplete, which is one of its distinctive traits.

Beyond Mauzac Blanc, variations such as Mauzac Gris and the Mauzac Rose grape variety are also recorded. Mauzac Rose, for instance, is renowned for its high fertility, consistency, and earlier ripening compared to the white variant. Certain terroirs, particularly the limestone hillsides of the Gers, gave rise to types such as "Mauzac Dur", characterised by a very upright growth habit and very firm berries, which require rigorous scion selection due to their susceptibility to coulure.

Mauzac plays an important role in white winemaking across several regions, especially in sparkling wine production. Its fresh aromas of apple and blossom, combined with its vibrant acidity, make it an asset for crisp, elegant wines. It is one of the historic white grape varieties of French viticulture.

Château Cazebonne, dedicated to preserving Bordeaux's viticultural heritage, takes a keen interest in these forgotten or lesser-known varieties. By championing grapes such as Mauzac, we contribute to the diversity and richness of ampelography, offering wine enthusiasts fresh perspectives. Our work is part of a vineyard renewal initiative, echoing winegrowers who replant forgotten varieties such as the Baroque grape variety, the Montils grape variety, and the Ondenc grape variety. Bordeaux's viticultural heritage is filled with fascinating grapes, such as the Meslier Saint-François grape variety and the Monbadon grape variety, which we strive to bring back into the spotlight.

Château Cazebonne's commitment to rediscovering grape varieties like Mauzac reflects our passion for the history and future of Bordeaux wine. This work is made possible in part thanks to the support of enthusiasts who enjoy our wines. To learn more about our approach, we invite you to download our book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages", test your knowledge with our wine quizzes, and of course, discover our wines directly online.