Clairette
White wine grape variety
Also known as Clairette Blanche, Picapoll, Picapoll Blanco, Picapolla Blanca, Picapollo, Blanca Extra
Clairette is a white wine grape with signature aromas of lime blossom, fennel, apricot. Structure: Medium body, Medium(−) acidity, Medium alcohol. Often confused with Chardonnay and Viognier.
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
Common
Occasional
Commonly confused with
Classic anchors
- Classic regions: Southern Rhone · Languedoc · Provence · Spain / Catalonia / Pla de Bages · Spain / Catalonia / Empordà / Priorat fringe (Picapoll naming)
- Classic styles: Aromatic low-acid southern Rhone white · Blending white adding perfume and body · Catalan Picapoll / Picapoll Blanco naming of Clairette (Pla de Bages) — floral–grapefruit–herb joven whites with moderate acid; DNA lane is Clairette (VIVC #2695), not Piquepoul / Picpoul
Common questions
Is Clairette a red or white grape variety?
Clairette is a white wine grape variety.
What does Clairette smell and taste like?
Signature aromas of Clairette include lime blossom, fennel and apricot. Structural profile: Medium body, Medium(−) acidity, Medium alcohol.
What blind-tasting cues distinguish Clairette?
Documented tells for Clairette: Look for floral and fennel-like aromatics with softer acidity than crisp Atlantic whites. and Check texture as medium and warm, often in blended southern French contexts..
What is Clairette most often confused with in blind tasting?
Clairette is most commonly confused with Chardonnay, Viognier and Grenache Blanc. Resolve the call with structure and signature aromas.
Where is Clairette grown?
Classic regions for Clairette include Southern Rhone, Languedoc, Provence and Spain / Catalonia / Pla de Bages.