auxerrois

[jakenbean]

i have recently come across this interesting white varietal and was wanting to find some history on its origins

[Innkeeper]

Hi Jake, and welcome to the Wine Board. According to Jancis Robinson it is native to Alsace when it is grown more widely than all the Pinots put together. Rarely bottled alone there, it is blended into other wines most notably Pinot Blanc. With tongue in cheek, she states that sometimes so much is blended into the Pinot Blanc that there is no room for the Pinot Blanc. She also states that before becoming famous Chardonnay was known as Auxerrois Blanc! Besides Alsace it is grown in Moselle, and Luxemburg ("where it is most valued"). Where was the wine you had made?

[Thomas]

I believe the auxerrois is in the pinot family of VARIETIES.

[jakenbean]

thanks for the reply, the wine i had was from the Grampians in central Victoria (australia) hard to get as it is only through cellar door and one restaurant (dish, in byron bay). Lovely aromas of lemon peel with some floral notes, quite minerally and medium palate with flavors of dry apple and pear.

[Innkeeper]

According to Jancis that is exactly what happens if you stress the vines somewhat. Something that apparently doesn't happen much in the Alsace.