The characteristics of the approved clones are listed in the catalogue of vines grown in France ( Pl@ntGrape, the catalogue of vines grown in France, © UMT Géno-Vigne®, INRA - IFV - Montpellier SupAgro 2009-2015).
Clone choice is based on the final production objective. The main criteria to examine are:
- Average cluster weight
- Berry size
- Clone Vigor
- Color and tannin structure potential
- High sugar content
- Advanced or delayed maturity.
To illustrate this line of reasoning, let's take the example of a high-quality, rich, concentrated and low yielding Cabernet Sauvignon wine. It is a wine that initially needs a lot of sugar, colour and tannic structure.
As a result, picking a corresponding clone is the best course of action.
All future clones are classified using scores for the different criteria. The score can be low, medium or high. To aid this scoring process, numbers are used: low = 1, medium = 2 and high = 3. Example: tannin structure = medium to high = 2.5
If the weight of the clusters, the size of the berries and/or the vigour is clearly above 2, the corresponding clones are eliminated. If the color potential, structure and/or sugar richness is less than 2, the clone is similarly disgarded from the selection. Furthermore, clones for which we lack information are also excluded.
Only 5 potential clones are retained using this reasoning: 169, 191, 337, 412, 1125 and 1124.
It is possible to plant several clones or just one type of clone of the same grape variety on the same plot of land.
Warning: this is only an example of reasoning and it is by no means an absolute rule pertaining to Cabernet Sauvignon.
In Burgundy, clones are no longer used because they are considered too productive. It is a selection made by the Association Technique Viticole de Bourgogne (ATVB) which is now commonly used (selection Pinot Très fin and Pinot fin). The yields are moderate and the grapes are of high quality.