Duras (grape)

Duras
Grape (Vitis)

Duras in Viala & Vermorel
Species Vitis vinifera
Also called Cabernet Duras (more)
Origin France
Notable regions Gaillac
Hazards Oidium
Duras grapes

Duras is a traditional French variety of red wine grape that is mostly grown around the Tarn River, northeast of Toulouse. It is usually blended with other traditional varieties, but production has been declining in recent years.

Despite the name the grape appears to have no connection with of the Côtes de Duras east of Bordeaux, at least it is not grown there today.[1] Nor is any link known to the Durasa of Piedmont.

History

Viticulture came to the Tarn with the Romans, but little is known of the history of Duras.

DNA fingerprinting has recently suggested that with Petit Verdot from Bordeaux, it is a parent of the Tressot variety.[2]

Distribution and Wines

Duras is only really found in the upper reaches of the Tarn River, in Gaillac, the Côtes de Millau and the Vins d'Estaing north of Rodez. It makes robust red wines with a peppery note that are typically blended with other traditional varieties such as Fer and Négrette.

Vine and Viticulture

The vine is susceptible to oidium and black rot with a tendency to bud early.[1]

Synonyms

Cabernet Duras, Durade, Duras Femelle, Duras Male, Duras Rouge, Durasca, Duraze[3]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 J. Robinson Vines, Grapes & Wines pg 205 Mitchell Beazley 1986 ISBN 1-85732-999-6
  2. ↑ Vitis International Variety Catalogue: Tressot Noir, accessed on December 15, 2009
  3. ↑ Maul, Erika; Töpfer, Reinhard; Eibach, Rudolf (2007). "Vitis International Variety Catalogue". Institute for Grapevine Breeding Geilweilerhof (IRZ), Siebeldingen, Germany. Retrieved 2007-08-28.

Further reading

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