Trousseau (grape)

Trousseau Noir
Grape (Vitis)
Color of berry skin Noir
Species Vitis vinifera
Also called Bastardo, Cabernet Gros, Trousseau Noir (more)
Origin Jura, France
Notable regions Portugal, California, Jura
Notable wines Port

Trousseau or Trousseau Noir, also known as Bastardo, is an old variety of red wine grape originating in eastern France.[1] It is grown in small amounts in many parts of Western Europe; the largest plantations are today found in Portugal, where most famously it is used in port wine. It makes deep cherry red wines with high alcohol and high, sour candy acidity, and flavours of red berry fruits, often complemented - depending on production - by a jerky nose and an organic, mossy minerality.

History and pedigree

Trousseau originated in eastern France where it was once widely cultivated, and DNA profiling has indicated that the variety has a parent-offspring relationship with Savagnin, and that it is a sibling to Chenin blanc and Sauvignon blanc.[1] DNA profiling has likewise shown that Trousseau has been cultivated on the Iberian Peninsula for at least 200 years under several different names, including Bastardo, but it is unknown how it came to be introduced there.

Trousseau gris is a white mutation of Trousseau Noir, occasionally found in Jura and once common in California under the name 'Gray Riesling'.

Genouillet is the result of a cross between Gouais blanc (Heunisch) and Bastardo.[2]

In 1938 Harold Olmo used Trousseau to pollinate the Vitis rupestris hybrid Alicante Ganzin to produce the Royalty variety.

Bastardo was crossed with the Georgian variety Saperavi to produce the Bastardo Magarachskii variety used in the Crimea.

Distribution and Wines

A little is grown in Argentina and in several regions of Spain, including the Canary Islands.

Australia

There are a small number of producers of Trousseau in Australia with plantings in Tasmania, Margaret River, Western Australia and Barossa Valley, South Australia. A small amount is also grown in eastern Australia under the name Gros Cabernet.

France

Trousseau is one of five grape varieties allowed in the Jura wine appellations, but only covers 5% of the Jura vineyards since it requires more sun than other Jura varieties to ripe. It is often used to stiffen blends with the pale Poulsard, which is easier to cultivate. In 2009, there was a total of 172 hectares (430 acres) of Trousseau in France.[1]

Portugal

It is part of the blend for port wine and also an important variety for red wines in the Dão. A total of 1,218 hectares (3,010 acres) of Trousseau, mostly under the name Bastardo, is cultivated in the vineyards of Portugal.[1] It is also grown in very small quantities in Madeira, and a small number of vintage wines labelled Bastardo were made.[3]

USA

As in Portugal, it is used to make fortified wines in California.

Additionally, a select set of winemakers are experimenting with making table wines with the grape.

Vine and Viticulture

It needs hot, dry conditions to do well. The name Trousseau (from Old French trusse, meaning "a bundle") is possibly a reference to the shape of the bunch, it looks 'packed up'.

Synonyms

Trousseau is also known under the synonyms Abrunhal, Bastardinha, Bastardinho, Bastardo, Bastardo Do Castello, Bastardo Dos Frados, Bolonio, Capbreton Rouge, Carnaz, Chauche Noir, Cruchenton Rouge, Donzelino De Castille, Estaladiña, Graciosa, Gris De Salces, Gros Cabernet, Maria, Maria Adona, Maria Adorna, Maria Ardona, Maria Ordona, Maturana Tinta, Maturana Tinto, Maturano, Merenzano, Merenzao, Pardinho, Pecho, Pinot Gris De Rio Negro, Roibal, Sémillon Rouge, Tresseau, Triffault, Trousse, Trousseau,Trousseau Gris, Troussot, Trusiaux, Trusseau, Trussiau, and Verdejo Tinto.[2]

In the literature, it is often confused with Tressot.[4]

See also

Notes and references

  1. 1 2 3 4 Robinson, Jancis; Julia Harding; José Vouillamoz (2012). Wine Grapes - A complete guide to 1,368 vine varieties, including their origins and flavours. London: Allen Lane. pp. 1093–1095. ISBN 978-1-846-14446-2.
  2. 1 2 Maul, Erika; Töpfer, Reinhard; Eibach, Rudolf (2007). "Vitis International Variety Catalogue". Institute for Grapevine Breeding Geilweilerhof (IRZ), Siebeldingen, Germany. Archived from the original on 2013-12-30. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
  3. ↑ http://madaboutmadeira.org/bastardo-best-grape-name-of-them-all/
  4. ↑ Vitis International Variety Catalogue: Tressot noir, accessed on December 15, 2009

Further reading

  • Robinson, Jancis (1992). Vines, Grapes and Wines: The Wine Drinker's Guide to Grape Varieties. Mitchell Beazley. ISBN 978-1-85732-999-5.
  • Robinson, Jancis (2006). The Oxford Companion to Wine, third edition. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-860990-2.
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