| Seyval blanc | |
|---|---|
| Grape (Vitis) | |
 Seyval blanc grapes prior toveraison. | |
| Color of berry skin | Blanc |
| Species | French hybrid (50%Vitis vinifera; 37%Vitis rupestris; 13%Vitis licencumii ) |
| Also called | SV 5276, Seyval |
| Origin | France |
| Notable regions | England, Wales, Canada, USA. |
| Hazards | Botrytis in wet years when very ripe |
| VIVC number | 11558 |
Seyval blanc (French pronunciation:[sɛvalblɑ̃]; orSeyve-Villard hybrid number 5276[1]) is ahybridwinegrape variety used to make white wines. Itsvines ripen early, are productive and are suited to fairly cool climates.[1] Seyval blanc is grown mainly inEngland,[2][3]the United States East Coast (specifically theFinger Lakes region of upstate New York, Lake Erie AVA in Pennsylvania,[2] regions inOhio andVirginia), in the Pacific Northwest (Oregon[4]), as well as to a lesser extent inCanada.[1] Seyval blanc was created either byBertille Seyve, or his son-in-law Villard, as a cross ofSeibel 5656 andRayon d'Or (Seibel 4986),[5] and was used to create the hybrid grapeSt. Pepin. Seyve and Villard used the same Rayon d'Or x Seibel 5656crossing to produce the red wine grapeSeyval noir.[6]
Since it contains some non-vinifera genes, Seyval blanc is outlawed by theEU authorities for quality wine production, which was an issue of conflict with the English wine industry.[1]
Seyval blanc has a characteristic citrus element in the aroma and taste, as well as a minerality that may be compared to whiteBurgundy.[2] It is often oaked and subjected to a stage ofmalolactic fermentation.[2]
Seyval blanc is known under the synonyms Seival, Seyval, Seyve Villard 5-276, Seyve Villard 5276, and SV 5276.[5]
