Vine varieties: French Colombard

The name of California’s second most planted white wine grape is relatively rarely seen on wine labels but it is found in a wide variety of wines and not just the very cheapest—not least because up to 15% of varieties other than those specified on the label of a varietal wine may be included, and French Colombard grapes are cheap—not least because most of it is planted in the Central Valley. As in south west France where it is known simply as colombard, the grape naturally, and usefully in California, retains a high level of acidity.