Seyval Blanc Wine Grape Vine

The Seyval blanc variety is an internationally known hybrid grape variety that was bred in France and is now cultivated mainly in cooler wine-growing regions. Seyval blanc was one of the most widespread hybrid varieties in Europe in the 20th century, especially in Britain, until more modern clones and newer varieties appeared. In the USA, it is used as an alternative to Chardonnay – in cooler regions, it allows the production of wines with a similar profile but with less risk of frost damage. It is prohibited in wines with protected designation of origin (AOC, PDO) in France, but is commonly used in table and regional wines.

Breeders: Bertille Seyve and Victor Villard (cross of Seibel 5656 × Seibel 4986, also known as Seyve-Villard 5276)
Type: white interspecific (hybrid) variety
Species: a cross of Vitis vinifera and American species (Vitis rupestris, Vitis aestivalis, Vitis labrusca, etc.)
Distribution: United Kingdom, Canada, northeastern USA, Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Belgium

Viticultural characteristics

Early to mid-season ripening: usually ripens by the end of September.
Very good frost resistance: tolerates temperatures down to -25 °C, which makes it suitable for regions where classic Vitis vinifera varieties would not survive.
Disease resistance: good resistance to downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola) and botrytis (Botrytis cinerea), less resistant to powdery mildew.
Yield: very high, requires yield control.
Soil: adapts well to various soil types, but prefers deeper, medium-heavy and well-drained soils.

Wine characteristics

Color: pale yellow to golden.
Aroma: fresh, often with notes of citrus, green apple, gooseberry, flowers, and sometimes tropical fruit.
Taste: balanced, with fresh acidity, sometimes slightly spicy or mineral.
Wine style: suitable for fresh dry white wines; also used for sparkling wines; in some countries, it is used for barrel-aged and semi-dry wines.