Petit Meslier

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Petit Meslier
Species: Vitis vinifera
Also called: Aubin (more)
Origin: France
Notable regions: Champagne
Notable wines: Duval-Leroy Authentis Petit Meslier

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.

Contents

[edit] History

DNA fingerprinting has shown that like Aubin Blanc, Petit Meslier is the result of a cross between Gouais Blanc and Savagnin. Originally from Croatia, Gouais was brought to Northern France by the Romans and is a parent of Chardonnay and Aubin Vert among others. The nut-flavoured Savagnin makes vin jaune in the Jura and is probably a clone of Traminer, the parent of Alsace's Gewürztraminer.

[edit] Distribution and Wines

[edit] 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]

[edit] 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.[2]

[edit] Vine and Viticulture

There's usually a reason why grapes like this are in decline. The Traminer family are notoriously difficult to grow, with poor disease resistance and low yields.

[edit] 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[3]

[edit] See also

Other minor Champagne grapes:

  • Arbane
  • Fromenteau Gris

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Irvine Wines Tasting Page. Irvine Wines. Retrieved on 2007-08-28.
  2. ^ Decanter World Wine Awards 2005. Decanter. Retrieved on 2007-08-28.
  3. ^ Maul, Erika; Töpfer, Reinhard; Eibach, Rudolf (2007). Vitis International Variety Catalogue. Institute for Grapevine Breeding Geilweilerhof (IRZ), Siebeldingen, Germany. Retrieved on 2007-08-28.

[edit] Further reading

  • Robinson, Jancis Vines, Grapes & Wines Mitchell Beazley 1986 ISBN 1857329996
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