Bourboulenc is a white wine grape variety primarily grown in southern France. The variety is found in the regions Southern Rhône, Provence, and Languedoc.
Bourboulenc is a late-ripening grape variety with tight bunches of medium-size grapes, that can be prone to rot in some years. Its wine has a good acidity level, body, penetrating character, citrus aromas and a hint of smoke. However, if the grapes are picked too soon, the wines have a thin, neutral taste.
Varietal Bourboulenc is rare, but is allowed into a number of white wine appellations of southern France.
Only in white La Clape, a geographical designation that may be used in conjunction with the Appellation d’Origine Controlée Contrôlée (AOC) Coteaux du Languedoc, is Bourboulenc the dominant grape variety. White La Clape must contain a minimum of 40% Bourboulenc.
Bourboulenc has been grown in southern France for centuries, and has been proposed to be of Greek origin. The French vineyard area grown with Bourboulenc dropped by about half in the 1970s and doubled again in the 1980s, and Bourboulenc has primarily increased in popularity in Languedoc.
Bourboulenc’s budding is white with a pink border. Young leaves are yellowish to dark green, and adult leaves are five-lobed and very deep with overlapping lower lateral sinuses. Petiolar sinus is in closed lyre. Its large bunches produce medium-sized grapes.
Bourboulenc shows a nose of lychee and wet rocks, lightly floral, with an unusual and appealing fresh almond note. On the palate, it is richly textured and softly mineral, with pineapple and Seville orange fruit and a little mintiness, pretty and delicate and lovely.
Production area en 2018: 521 ha (1 287 acres)
Sud Selections 