The Forgotten Clone: Unmasking Pommard (Clone 5)

In the world of Pinot Noir clones, few have evaded scrutiny as successfully as Pommant - also known by its more enigmatic moniker, clone 5. Despite being one of three primary options available to viticulturists in the early 1970s alongside Wädenswil and a third minor variety mislabeled as Gamay Beaujolais, very little is known about this elusive grapevine.

The origins of Pommard are shrouded in mystery - its true parentage lost to history. Some speculate that it may be related to the famous Burgundian Pinot Noir region from which it takes its name; others believe it could simply have been named as a marketing ploy designed to tap into consumer demand for anything bearing even tangential links to such an esteemed wine-growing area.

Whatever its actual provenance, one thing is certain: Pommant has managed to avoid the spotlight throughout much of its relatively short history. Perhaps this relative obscurity has worked in its favor; certainly those winemakers who have chosen to experiment with it seem to be rewarded handsomely - if not always immediately so.

The wines produced from these low-yielding vines are known for their complex, layered flavor profiles which combine hints of dark fruit, spice and subtle earthy undertones. While they may lack the immediate accessibility of some more well-known Pinot Noir clones such as Meunier or even its better-recognized cousin Pommard itself (which actually refers to a specific vineyard site within Burgundy rather than being an alternate name for this particular clone), those willing to give them time will be richly rewarded.

So next time you come across references to 'clone 5' on the label of a Pinot Noir bottle, take note - it could well be Pommant masquerading under its more prosaic pseudonym.

Pommard also known as clone 5