Valdiguié is a red wine grape grown primarily in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France, where it is generally known by the alias Gros Auxerrois. In Gaillac it is known as Brocol, and in California it has been known as Napa Gamay or Gamay 15. Until 1980 Napa Gamay was believed to be the Gamay of Beaujolais,[1] but following genetic analysis the name 'Napa Gamay' has been banned from U.S. wine labels since January 1999. [2] Confusingly, both the Pinot Noir clone Gamay Beaujolais and 'Napa Gamay' could be labelled 'Gamay Beaujolais', a name banned on labels from April 2007.[2]
Other synonyms include Valdiguer, Cahors, Jean-Pierrou at Sauzet, Quercy and Noir de Chartres.[1]
Valdiguié was first commercially propagated in 1874,[1] although its origin is unclear. There are three main theories :
It produces medium to large conical clusters of dark blue-black fruit. It is a high yielding vine that is fairly resistant to oidium (powdery mildew).
Valdiguié produces dark colored wines that are low in alcohol. [4] The wines tend to be of light to medium body and are frequently made in a style similar to the true Gamay of Beaujolais. [5]
Some producers (such as J. Lohr and Paul Mathew) utilize carbonic maceration in order to produce a wine with a deep, purple-red color and fruity taste, with flavors of berries and black cherry.
Valdiguié in France has a reputation as a workhorse variety grown to attract grants from the European Union, who promptly turned it into industrial alcohol.
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