About
Blanc Du Bois the White Wine Grape of Texas and Beyond
Blanc Du Bois (pronounced “Blahk-Doo-Bwah) is an American hybrid grape variety that was first released in 1968 and is primarily used for producing white wines. This grape is particularly recognized for its resistance to diseases, making it ideal for cultivation in Texas and other states like Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana.
Its notable resistance to Pierce's Disease, a major threat to traditional vinifera grapes in hot, humid regions, allows the Blanc Du Bois grape to flourish across a variety of southern US climates, minimizing the need for intensive pest management.
The Blanc Du Bois grape is versatile in winemaking, producing white wines that range in styles from dry to semi-sweet, sweet, blush, low alcohol, fortified, and sparkling. It has become the most widely grown white wine grape in Texas, establishing itself as a staple in the local winemaking scene, particularly in the Gulf Coast and East Texas wine regions.
This grape variety thrives in warmer climates and is well-suited for USDA hardiness zones 8 and above.
As highlighted in recent literature, significant advancements have been made in Blanc Du Bois vineyard and winemaking practices since its introduction. These innovations, largely developed in Texas, have positioned the Blanc du Bois grape alongside many classic European wine grapes, making it ready for adoption in other states and appealing to the discerning palates of wine aficionados worldwide.
Pedigree
Many know the Blanc Du Bois grape as a hybrid variety well-suited for warmer regions, particularly in Texas wine production. Some may recall the Blanc Du Bois circular prepared by University of Florida's Dr. John Mortensen in 1987, which summarized their breeding program from 1945 to 1968, ultimately leading to the development of the Blanc Du Bois grape.
This book highlights the authors' investigation of Blanc Du Bois, tracing its lineage back even further and including eight additional generations. This research delves into the twelfth level of grape genetic crossings, revealing a significant number of grape variety antecedents. Among these previous generations, there are 28 pure vinifera in the Blanc Du Bois lineage that connect back to the
From Research to Practice
Blanc du Bois descends from respectable vinifera varieties, varieties that were established centuries ago. Yet, as a separate variety, Blanc Du Bois is only forty years old. It took twenty years to determine whether decent wine could be made from vines. It took another twenty years for winemakers to warm to making wine without an established reputation.
Most of what we have learned about growing Blanc Du Bois and making its wine over the last forty years sprang from pioneering growers and winemakers. Their ongoing research by trial and error laid the groundwork for academic research. Academic research has delved into the disease resistance found in Blanc Du Bois, the diseases that affect its vine health, and research in wine quality has followed. Answers to questions tend to lead to further questions. The journey continues.
