| Arbane | |
|---|---|
| Grape (Vitis) | |
| Color of berry skin | Blanc |
| Species | Vitis vinifera |
| Also called | Arbanne (more) |
| Origin | France |
| Notable regions | Champagne |
| Notable wines | Moutard-Diligent Vielles Vignes |
Arbane or Arbanne is a white variety of grape used in wine. Arbane is historically a variety of the Aube region of France, which is part of the production region for Champagne, but has all but disappeared from the vineyards with only 1 hectare (2.5 acres) left in France in 1998. It is still allowed in the Champagne blend.[1]
Recent years have seen a resurged interest in the older, almost extinct grape varieties of the Champagne region, including Arbane. The Champagne house Moutard-Diligent in Buxeuil is the only producer of a "Vielles Vignes" Champagne made only from Arbane,[2] while a few others, including Aubry and Drappier, produce blends which include both Arbane and other now rare Champagne varieties such as Petit Meslier and Pinot Blanc. Champagne Moutard also produce a "Cuvée Six Cépages" which uses all six authorised grapes varieties : Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc and Arbane.
Synonyms for Arbane include Albane, Arbane Blanc, Arbane du Bachet, Arbanne, Arbanne Blanche, Arbenne, Arbenne Blanc, Arbone, Crene, Crenillat and Darbanne.[3]