Petit Meslier

Infobox grape variety
name = Petit Meslier


caption =
species = "Vitis vinifera"
also_called = Aubin (more)
origin = France
hazards =
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.cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Irvine Wines Tasting Page | work = | publisher = Irvine Wines | date = | url = http://www.evhotel.com.au/tasting.html | format = | doi = | accessdate = 2007-08-28 ] In the very rare cases where it is not blended, it makes crisp wines tasting of apples.

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.

Distribution and Wines

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.

France

There are just 20 hectares in France. Duval-Leroy have made a single varietal champagne, the Authentis Petit Meslier, which was criticised by Decanter for over-oaking. [cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Decanter World Wine Awards 2005 | work = | publisher = Decanter | date = | url = http://www.decanter.com/worldwineawards/2005/dwwa_search.php?rsearch=DUV | format = | doi = | accessdate = 2007-08-28 ]

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.

ynonyms

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 Lyecite web | last =Maul | first =Erika | authorlink = | coauthors = Töpfer, Reinhard; Eibach, Rudolf | title = Vitis International Variety Catalogue | work = | publisher = Institute for Grapevine Breeding Geilweilerhof (IRZ), Siebeldingen, Germany | date = 2007 | url = http://www.vivc.bafz.de | format = | doi = | accessdate = 2007-08-28]

ee also

Other minor Champagne grapes:
* Arbane
* Fromenteau Gris

References

Further reading

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