Wine Arcana

Grape

Romorantin

Also known as Danery

Romorantin is a white Vitis vinifera variety of the central Loire. Galinié (2023) identifies it as the sole grape of the Cour-Cheverny appellation and notes plantings in nearby parts of Loir-et-Cher.1. Henri Galinié, “Non, François Ier n’a pas introduit le cépage Romorantin dans le Val de Loire en 1518,” Crescentis (2023). The article discusses the Pinot teinturier × Gouais parentage, the 1518 record, and the first documented use of the name. The variety was once more widely planted in France, but Plantgrape's historical series records a fall from 680 hectares in 1958 to 79 hectares in 2018.2. Institut français de la vigne et du vin, INRAE & Institut Agro Montpellier, Plantgrape varietal record for Romorantin B. The record gives the dated French area series, parentage, agronomic description, maturity timing, disease susceptibilities, wine description, and clone information.

History and identity

DNA analysis indicates that Romorantin resulted from a cross between Pinot teinturier and Gouais blanc.1. Henri Galinié, “Non, François Ier n’a pas introduit le cépage Romorantin dans le Val de Loire en 1518,” Crescentis (2023). The article discusses the Pinot teinturier × Gouais parentage, the 1518 record, and the first documented use of the name.

The variety's name has also acquired a misleading royal story. A 1518 record reimburses Pierre La Parque for the purchase of 80,000 complants de Beaune, the labor, and the completed transport from Beaune via Digoin and Tours to Romorantin, where the vines had already been replanted. Galinié identifies the plants as a red Pinot, not this white grape. The name Romorantin is not documented before 1827, and the variety was probably created by crossing in a Loire vineyard, possibly under another name before its modern identity was settled.1. Henri Galinié, “Non, François Ier n’a pas introduit le cépage Romorantin dans le Val de Loire en 1518,” Crescentis (2023). The article discusses the Pinot teinturier × Gouais parentage, the 1518 record, and the first documented use of the name.

Viticulture and wine character

Romorantin is fairly fertile and productive, with an erect growth habit. It can be pruned either long or short, but Plantgrape recommends adapted, early terroirs. In its French reference collection it breaks bud at about the same time as Chasselas and reaches mid-season maturity roughly two and a half to three weeks later. Its medium-to-large bunches carry small berries. The variety is moderately susceptible to grey rot and grape moths, so site and fruit condition matter at harvest.2. Institut français de la vigne et du vin, INRAE & Institut Agro Montpellier, Plantgrape varietal record for Romorantin B. The record gives the dated French area series, parentage, agronomic description, maturity timing, disease susceptibilities, wine description, and clone information.

Plantgrape describes the resulting wines as fairly fine, fruity, and pleasant.

Where it is grown

Cour-Cheverny is Romorantin's defining home, with additional plantings among growers in the surrounding Loir-et-Cher area. Plantgrape also records a conservatory of about 50 clones planted there in 2007, alongside four certified clones numbered 466, 873, 928, and 929.2. Institut français de la vigne et du vin, INRAE & Institut Agro Montpellier, Plantgrape varietal record for Romorantin B. The record gives the dated French area series, parentage, agronomic description, maturity timing, disease susceptibilities, wine description, and clone information.

Sources