Trousseau (grape)

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Trousseau Noir
Grape (Vitis)
Trousseau as Bastardo in Viala & Vermorel
Color of berry skin Noir
Species Vitis vinifera
Also called Bastardo, Cabernet Gros, Trousseau Noir (more)
Origin Jura, France
Notable regions Portugal, California, Chablis, 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 flavours of red berry fruits.

History and pedigree[edit]

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.


Distribution and Wines[edit]

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


A small amount is grown in Australia under the name Gros Cabernet.


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]


It's 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]


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[edit]

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'.


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, 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.[2]

See also[edit]

Notes and references[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d 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. ^ a b c Maul, Erika; Töpfer, Reinhard; Eibach, Rudolf (2007). "Vitis International Variety Catalogue". Institute for Grapevine Breeding Geilweilerhof (IRZ), Siebeldingen, Germany. Retrieved 2013-12-29. 

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]