Folle Blanche Grape variety guide: history, French regions, taste & food pairing
Folle Blanche is a historic white grape of western France, famous for razor-sharp acidity. Once the backbone of Cognac and Armagnac, it now shines in crisp, bone-dry wines from the mouth of the Loire.
Learn more about Folle Blanche
History & origins
Probably native to southwest France and an offspring of Gouais Blanc, Folle Blanche dominated the Charente and Gascony until phylloxera struck in the late 1800s. Its tight bunches proved too rot-prone on American rootstocks, so Ugni Blanc replaced it. Near Nantes, where it is called Gros Plant, it survived as a refreshing everyday white, and Armagnac producers still treasure it for elegant, floral brandies.
French regions & appellations
Gros Plant du Pays Nantais AOC (Loire), Armagnac and Cognac, plus small plantings in IGP Côtes de Gascogne.
Taste profile
Light-bodied, low in alcohol and high in acidity, with lemon, green apple, white flowers and a salty, mineral finish.
Food pairing
A natural match for raw oysters, clams, moules marinières, grilled sardines and fried whitebait. Also lovely with goat cheese or simply as a lively aperitif.
Where Folle Blanche grows in France
Wine regions: Loire
Appellations: Gros Plant du Pays Nantais