Among the viticultural treasures of Bordeaux that time has unfortunately cast into the shadows, Ondenc holds a unique place. This ancestral white grape variety, deeply rooted in South-West France, was once far more widespread across the Gironde vineyard. It bore several names there, testifying to its local presence: it was affectionately called "Blanquette" or "Blanquette sucrée" due to the clarity of its musts, and in the Entre-Deux-Mers, it was known as "Béquin", or more specifically "petit Béquin" in the Terreforts. These local names highlight its long-standing integration and its affinity with Bordeaux terroirs.

Modern genetic studies have lifted the veil on part of its family history, revealing close relationships with other South-West grape varieties, such as Lauzet, the Crouchen grape variety and Petit Courbu. These genetic links confirm its deep-seated roots in the region's viticultural heritage, far removed from the international varieties that dominate today.

Ampelographic profile

Characteristic	Description
Budburst	Early, making it susceptible to spring frosts.
Ripening	Early second period, allowing for a relatively early harvest.
Vigour	Vigorous, requires careful management.
Growth habit	Erect.
Susceptibility to coulure	Susceptible to coulure, which can reduce yields.
Susceptibility to downy mildew	Susceptible to downy mildew.
Susceptibility to powdery mildew	Susceptible to powdery mildew.
Aromatic profile	Moderately aromatic, with discreet floral notes.
Winemaking potential	Wines of great finesse, delicate and balanced, particularly in blends where it can compensate for a lack of acidity in single-varietal wines.

A brief history

Although rarely cited by 19th-century Bordeaux authors, Ondenc had a notable presence in the Gironde vineyards. Its nickname "petit Béquin" reflects its place in several historical grape listings, such as that of Jean-Baptiste de Secondat in the late 18th century. It made its official appearance as an accessory white grape variety in the Bordeaux appellation in 1935. Today, it is among the grape varieties that dedicated winegrowers are striving to revive and cultivate to diversify plantings and rediscover unique aromatic profiles.

At Château Cazebonne, we are convinced that the richness of our viticultural heritage should not remain a dead letter. This is why we are committed to replanting and showcasing grape varieties like Ondenc, which had vanished from the Bordeaux landscape. This work of perseverance and memory is only made possible thanks to the invaluable support of the many enthusiasts who share our passion for rediscovering forgotten tastes and aromas, and who have embraced our wines. To delve deeper into this fascinating history, we invite you to download our digital edition of the book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages", which traces the epic journey of these varieties, including that of the Sauvignonasse grape variety and the Monbadon grape variety, or to test your knowledge with our wine quizzes, before discovering our cuvées crafted from these revived grape varieties and our distinctive approach.