Petit Manseng

Smaller berried than Gros Manseng, is responsible for the shrivelled berries needed to make top quality Jurançon and Pacherenc du Vic Bilh Moelleux in south-west France. Thanks to its thick skins, Petit Manseng yields relatively little juice and perhaps that is why the resulting wine can seem so packed with tangy, verdant flavours. Like Tannat, the variety was taken to Uruguay by Basques in the 19th century. It is acquiring a cult following among more varietally aware wine producers, from Languedoc to California.