Franc Noir de la Haute-Saône

Franc Noir de la Haute-Saône is a traditional French variety of red wine grape that is a sibling of Chardonnay.

It makes thin, tart wine and has largely disappeared from cultivation.

DNA fingerprinting has shown that it is one of many grapes to be the result of a cross between Gouais blanc (Heunisch) and Pinot, making it a full sibling of famous varieties such as Chardonnay and Aligoté.

Gouais blanc was widely grown by the French peasantry in the Medieval ages.

Other Gouais blanc/Pinot crosses include Aubin vert, Auxerrois, Bachet noir, Beaunoir, Gamay Blanc Gloriod, Gamay noir, Melon, Knipperlé, Peurion, Romorantin, Roublot, and Sacy Franc Noir de la Haute-Saône is a vigorous vine, producing small compact bunches of grapes.