Calitor

History

Ampelographers trace the name Calitor to the Provençal words Col (stalk) and tor (twisted), referring to the near right-angle bend of the peduncle stalk on the vine. Early synonyms like Col Tor and Pécoui-Touar also mean twisted stalks. Under the synonym Colitor, the grape appeared in Olivier de Serres' 1600 work Théâtre d'Agriculture alongside Pinot, Ribier, and others as a distinguished variety planted in several provinces. In 1656, it was noted growing around Lapalud in Vaucluse.

The white mutation Calitor blanc was first mentioned in 1782 as a variety behind popular white wines of Nîmes in Gard. After the phylloxera epidemic and the World Wars, plantings recovered slowly as growers turned to hybrids and reliable varieties like Aramon noir. By 1968, 319 ha were planted, but later declines followed a shift toward international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. AOC rule changes further reduced Calitor's role; in Côtes de Provence, only grapes from vines planted before 1994 are permitted. By 2008, plantings had fallen to 31 ha.

Viticulture

Calitor is a late-ripening variety that can be highly productive if not controlled by winter pruning or green harvesting. It produces large clusters of big berries with a near right-angle bend in the peduncle stem, giving the twisted-stalk appearance that inspired its name.

The vine has some resistance to powdery mildew but is very susceptible to botrytis bunch rot and downy mildew. Despite sharing synonyms with Bouteillan noir, no known relationship exists. In Nice, Calitor noir has been confused with Braquet noir, and also with Jurançon and Piquepoul noir.

Wine regions

Calitor is permitted in several AOCs of the southern Rhône, Languedoc, and Provence, but its use is very limited. In Bandol, it was once allowed in blends with Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Cinsault, but a 1992 revision removed it from the permitted list. In Côtes de Provence, a grandfather clause allows only Calitor from vines planted before 1994. In the rosé-only Tavel AOC of the southern Rhône, Calitor is still permitted up to a maximum of 10% of the blend with Grenache and Cinsault.

Synonyms

Calitor has been known under many synonyms, including Anglas, Assadoule Bouvier, Blavette, Calitor noir, Canseron, Charge Mulet, Colitor, Col Tor, Coulitor, Coytor, Fouirard, Garriga, Pécoui-Touar, Piquepoul de Fronton, Pride of Australia, Ramonen, Rouget de Salins, Rousselin noir, Sang de Boeuf, Siege noir, and Tentyure Artekskii. Synonyms for Calitor blanc include Clairette Egreneuse, Coronega, and Pampoul. Synonyms for Calitor gris include Fouirau and Saoule Bouvier.