Petit Manseng

Petit Manseng
Grape (Vitis)
Petit Manseng in Viala & Vermorel
Color of berry skin	Blanc
Species	Vitis vinifera
Also called	see list of synonyms
Origin	France
Notable regions	South-West France, Languedoc
Notable wines	Jurançon, Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh

Late harvest Petit Manseng, drying to near raisins.

Petit Manseng (sometimes translated: Small Manseng, rarely "Little Manseng") is a white wine grape variety that is grown primarily in South West France. It produces the highest quality wine of any grape in the Manseng family. The name is derived from its small, thick skin berries. Coupled with the small yields of the grapevine, most Petit Manseng farmers produce around 15 hl of wine per hectare. The grape is often left on the vine till December to produce a late harvest dessert wine. The grape is grown primarily in the Languedoc, Jurançon and Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh but has recently drawn interest in New World wine regions like California, North Georgia, Virginia, Ohio, and Australia. The reason is that it is expected to follow Viognier's path to popularity among white wine drinkers.^[1] It was already present in Uruguay, when Basque settlers brought "Manseng" and Tannat vines with them to their new home. Despite being easily recognizable as a white grape while true Manseng is a black grape, wine that is Petit Manseng is still normally labeled as just "Manseng". The grape is often left on the vine to produce a late harvest wine made from its nearly raisin like grapes.^[2]

Synonyms

Petit Manseng is also known under the synonyms Escriberou, Ichiriota Zuria Tipia (in Spain^[3]), Mansein, Mansein Blanc, Manseing, Mansenc Blanc, Mansenc Grisroux, Manseng Blanc, Manseng Petit Blanc, Mansengou, Mansic, Mansin, Mausec, Mausenc Blanc, Miot, Petit Mansenc, and Petit Manseng Blanc.^[4]

See also

• Gros Manseng

References