Bourboulenc is a very old southern French white wine variety, which is believed to have originated in Vauclus/Provence. It was first mentioned in a document in 1515 under the name Borbolonques. Today it is widespread in southern France over an area of around 650 hectares. It plays a role in the cuvée of Châteauneuf-du-Pape as well as in the white wines of Costières de Nimes, Tavel or Languedoc, Minervois or Corbières. Pure Bourboulenc wines are rarely found; the variety is usually blended with Grenache Blanc, Macabeo, Marsanne or Clairette. It ripens very slowly and therefore requires a long period of time until it is fully ripe. However, Bourboulenc tolerates dry and warm locations very well, which makes the variety particularly suitable for Mediterranean regions. In addition, their loose berries with their thick skins make them quite resistant to rot, although downy mildew is a problem. Vineyards outside southern France are not yet known.
This grape variety is also known by the name of:
Berlou blanc, Blanquette du Frontonnais, Blanquette du Gard, Blanquette menue, Bourboulenco, Bourbounenco, Bourbojlanc, Burbulen, Bourboulenque, Bourbouleng, Doucillon, Frappad, Clairette blanche, Clairette dorée, Clairette dorée à Paulhan, Clairette grosse, Grosse Clairette, Malvoisie du Languedoc, Clairette rousse, Clairette rousse du Var, Picardan, Mourterille, Roussette du Vaucluse, Ondenc, Roussaou
