Négrette is a dark red wine grape grown primarily in South West France in the region between Albi and Toulouse.[1]

Négrette
Grape (Vitis)
Color of berry skinNoir
SpeciesVitis vinifera
Also calledSee list of synonyms
OriginFrance
Notable regionsSouth West France
Notable winesCôtes du Frontonnais

Wine regions edit

The principal appellation using this variety, Côtes du Frontonnais (red and rosé), requires that 50% to 70% of the blend be the Négrette grape.[1] The other 50% to 30% must be some combination of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon (maximum 25% together), Côt (maximum 25%), Fer (maximum 25%), Syrah (maximum 25%), Cinsaut, Gamay, Mauzac (a white grape), Merille (maximum 15% together). At least three grape varieties must be used.[2]

Wines edit

Wine made from this grape tends to show versatility in being able to age moderately well and also be drunk young.[3] In California the vine was known as Pinot St-George until 1997, when the BATF ruled that it may no longer be called that.[4] In the Fiefs Vendeens of the Loire Valley, Négrette may be called 'Ragoutant'. The vine has declined in planting in the last century due to its susceptibility to oidium and grey rot.[1][5]

Synonyms edit

Négrette is also known under the following synonyms: Bourgogne, Cahors, Cap de More, Chalosse noire, Couporel, Dégoûtant, Folle noire, Morelet, Morillon, Mourelet, Mourrelet, Négralet, Negraou, Négret, Négret de Gaillac, Négret du Tarn, Négrette de Fronton, Négrette de Longages, Négrette de Nice, Négrette de Rabastens, Négrette de Villaudric, Négrette de Villemur, Négrette Entière, Négrette Poujut, Negretto, Noirien, Petit Négret, Petite Négrette, Petit noir, Petit Noir de Charentes, Petit Noir de Fronton, Pinot Saint Georges, Pinot St. George, Ragoûtant, Saintongeais, Vesparo noir and Villemur.[6]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Robinson, Jancis, ed. (1999). "Negrette". The Oxford Companion to Wine (2nd ed.). winepros.com.au. Archived from the original on 3 April 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2010.
  2. ^ admi.net Decree, 31 August 2005 (in French)
  3. ^ [1]Wines of Fronton
  4. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 October 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ^ Robinson, Jancis (1986). Vines, Grapes & Wines, Mitchell Beazley, pp. 204, ISBN 1-85732-999-6
  6. ^ Negrette Archived 30 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Vitis International Variety Catalogue, accessed 2010-10-20

External links edit