The red grape variety originates from France. Synonyms are Albarín Frances, Cahors, Cap de More, Chalosse Noire, Couporel, Dégoûtant, Folle Noire, Morelet, Morillon, Mourrelet, Négralet, Négret, Négret de Gaillac, Négret du Tarn, Négrette de Fronton, Négrette de Longages, Négrette de Nice, Négrette de Rabastens, Négrette de Villaudric, Négrette de Villemur, Négrette Entiere, Négrette Poujut, Noirien, Petit Noir de Charentes, Petit Noir de Fronton, Pinot St. George, Pinot St. Georges, Ragoûtant and Vesparo Noir. It must not be confused with the varieties Fuella Nera, Graciano, Monastrell (Negrette), Mourvaison (Négrette), Negral, Négret Castrais, Négrette de Nice, Negretto or Tressot Noir, despite the synonyms or morphological similarities that seem to indicate it. According to one hypothesis, it is dentic with the Cypriot variety Mavro and is said to have been introduced by French crusaders in the 12th century. However, the parentage is unknown. The Milgranet variety is the result of a presumably natural cross between Négrette x Gouais Blanc.
This late-ripening variety is susceptible to fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and botrytis due to its thin berry skin. It produces aromatic, very colourful but low-tannin red wines with an intense violet aroma. It is permitted in the wines of Fiefs Vendéens (Loire), Fronton and Lavilledieu (southwest France). In France, the variety occupies a total of 1,112 hectares of vineyards, with a slight downward trend. In California, the Pinot St. George cultivated there was identified as Négrette by Pierre Galet (1921-2019) in the early 1980s. It is also grown in Argentina, Brazil and Mexico. In 2016, however, only the French stock was reported (Kym Anderson statistics).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012.
Images: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
