Petit Meslier
| Petit Meslier | |
|---|---|
| Grape (Vitis) | |
| Color of berry skin | Blanc |
| Species | Vitis vinifera |
| Also called | Aubin (more) |
| Origin | France |
| Notable regions | Champagne (wine region) |
| Notable wines | Duval-Leroy Authentis Petit Meslier |
| VIVC number | 7675 |
Petit Meslier is a rare white wine grape that is a minor component of some Champagne blends. It is valued for its ability to retain acidity even in hot vintages.[1] In the very rare cases where it is not blended, it makes crisp wines tasting of apples.
History and pedigree
DNA fingerprinting has shown that like Aubin blanc, Petit Meslier is the result of a cross between Gouais blanc and Savagnin. Gouais blanc is a parent of Chardonnay and Aubin vert among others, and Savagnin is common in Jura wine (including Vin jaune) and is a variety in the Traminer family which also includes Gewürztraminer. The Swiss variety Amigne also has a parent-offspring relationship with Petit Meslier.[2]
Viticulture
The Traminer family of grapes can be difficult to grow, with poor disease resistance and low yields.
Wine regions
Australia
Irvine Wines in the Eden Valley claim to have the only Meslier in Australia. They produce a single varietal sparkling wine, Meslier Brut, and a Pinot Meslier blend.[1]
France
There are just 20 hectares in France.[1] Duval-Leroy have made a single varietal champagne, the Authentis Petit Meslier, which was criticised by Decanter for over-oaking.[3]
Champagne Moutard use 1/6th of Petit Meslier in their unique "Cuvée Six Cépages" : Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Blanc, Arbane and Petit Meslier.
Champagne Laherte Frères has some in their fantastic cuvée "Les Clos" along with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Meunier, Arbanne and Fromenteau.
Synonyms
Arbonne, Barnay, Bernais, Bernet, Co De France, Crene, Feuille D'Ozerolle, Hennequin, Lepine, Maille, Maye, Melie, Melie Blanc, Melier, Meslier De Champagne, Meslier Dore, Meslier Petit A Queue Rouge, Meslier Vert, Mornain Blanc, Orbois, Petit Meslier, Petit Meslier A Queue Rouge, Petit Meslier Dore, Queue Rouge, Saint Lye[4]
See also
Other minor Champagne grapes:
References
- ^ a b c "Irvine Wines Tasting Page". Irvine Wines. Archived from the original on 2007-07-01. Retrieved 2007-08-28.
- ^ Jancis Robinson, ed. (2006). "Amigne". Oxford Companion to Wine (Third ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 20. ISBN 0-19-860990-6.
- ^ "Decanter World Wine Awards 2005". Decanter. Retrieved 2007-08-28.
- ^ Maul, Erika; Töpfer, Reinhard; Eibach, Rudolf (2007). "Vitis International Variety Catalogue". Institute for Grapevine Breeding Geilweilerhof (IRZ), Siebeldingen, Germany. Retrieved 2007-08-28.
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