Clairette
White wine grape variety
Clairette — white wine grape variety with signature aromas of fennel, white flowers, apricot. Structural profile: Medium body, Medium(−) acidity, Medium alcohol. Sensium blind-tasting coach reference.
Structural pillars
AcidityMedium(−)
BodyMedium
AlcoholMedium
Color intensityPale
Aromatic intensityMedium(+)
Recognition cues
First checks
- Look for floral and fennel-like aromatics with softer acidity than crisp Atlantic whites.
- Check texture as medium and warm, often in blended southern French contexts.
Confidence signals
- Floral-fennel and apricot profile
- Lower acidity with medium body
Aromas
Signature
fennelwhite flowersapricot
Common
lime blossompeachherbal note
Occasional
honeycomb
Commonly confused with
Classic anchors
- Classic regions: Southern Rhone · Languedoc · Provence
- Classic styles: Aromatic low-acid southern Rhone white · Blending white adding perfume and body
- Style examples: Clairette de Bellegarde · Rhone blend with Clairette Blanche
Common questions
- Is Clairette a red or white grape variety?
- Clairette is a white wine grape variety. Sensium documents its structure, aromas, and confusion signals for blind tasting.
- What does Clairette smell and taste like?
- Signature aromas of Clairette include fennel, white flowers and apricot. Structural profile: Medium body, Medium(−) acidity, Medium alcohol.
- What is Clairette most often confused with in blind tasting?
- Clairette is most commonly confused with Chardonnay, Viognier and Grenache Blanc. Sensium's Compare view leads with the decisive cues that resolve each call.
- Where is Clairette grown?
- Classic regions for Clairette include Southern Rhone, Languedoc and Provence.