What is a clone? And which Pinot Noir clones are used at Clos Henri?

Before we start about Pinot Noir clones, we need to understand what is a clone ! 

In the world of wine, a clone refers to an exact genetic copy of a vine, created through a process called cutting. This involves taking a branch with a bud from a vine and planting it to grow a new vine that is genetically identical to the original. These identical plants are referred to as clones in biological terms.

The Rise of Clonal Selection

Since the 1960s, clonal selection has become a favored technique in viticulture. By selecting specific vines with desirable traits, growers have been able to improve the consistency and quality of vineyards. The criteria for selecting clones typically include:

• Resistance to viruses

• Regularity and reliability in production

• Improved wine quality, such as enhanced aromatic intensity or deeper color

This approach has significantly boosted the overall quality of vines in France, ensuring healthier plants and better raw materials for winemaking.

Pinot Noir clones at Clos Henri

One of the recurrent questions we receive is "Are your clones from France ?". The answer is no.  

When the family purchased the land back in 2000, the easiest way and the more economical as well, was to get clones from the North Island. 

Here at Clos Henri, we have 9 different clones : 667, 777, 828, 114, 115, 943, Abel, Am-10-5 and UCD 5.

The reason we have so many here is that we are using the diversity of clones to encourage greater complexity in our wines. Each clone offers varying levels of fruit intensity, structure and flavour which allows us to create ‘layers’ of character in the Pinot noir.

Some clones also perform better during dry spells, and others better when we go through wet seasons, so the diversity of clones allows us a safety net. 

Furthermore, some clones are better suited to more clay-rich soils or more stony soils. 

For example, the 10-5 on our parcel of grapes called 'Graves' (stony soils) often shows more bright raspberry and cherry notes than the 10-5 on clayey soils in Nicolas (which displays more spice and dark fruit). 

In Conclusion...

Our use of grape clones allows us at Clos Henri to delve deeper into the understanding of our estate. By exploring the qualitative expressions that these myriad of clones offer, we have had the opportunity to foster a deeper connection to our vines by learning their intricacies and unique expressions.