This cuvée is a blend of Madeleine Angevine and
Madeleine Sylvaner grape -- two of a series whose first name,
Madeleine, recalled a Catholic saint whose feast day is early in
spring when these vines are in flower.
This white vinifera was developed in 1857 by a Loire
nurseryman named Moreau-Robert. He sought to create new varieties
simply by planting grape seeds and selecting the chance varieties that
came, since the grape seed is genetically unpredictable in the progeny
that results from this method.
Three varieties emerged that are still grown, often
for table grapes rather than wine grapes.
The Madeleine Angevine vine has the rare attribute
of being almost totally "female" which means that, unlike other vines,
it is not self-pollinating but must be planted near to other varieties
in order to be fruitful.
go to the wine shop...
