The red grape variety originates from France. Synonyms are Belossard, Blue Thuner, Chatille, Corsin, Durazaine, Duresa, Duret, Dureza, Durif, Feunette, Fumette, Gronnay, Gro Nuar, Gros Béclan, Gros Nat, Gros Noir, Gros Plant, Mauvais Noir, Mosaguin, Parlouseau, Pellorcin, Pelossier, Pelorsin, Pelossard, Peloursin Nero, Peloursin Noir, Plant d'Abas, Plant de Paris, Pourret, Pourrot, Salis, Spartin, Thuner, Thuner Rebe, Tinta Penajoia, Tinta Roriz de Penajoia, Treillin, Verne and Vert Noir. The parentage (parentage) is unknown. It must not be confused with the varieties Béclan, Dureza, Durif or Poulsard, despite seemingly suggestive synonyms or morphological similarities. Peloursin was a crossing partner of the new varieties Durif and Joubertin. There is also a variety Peloursin Gris; nothing is known about a possible connection.
The medium-maturing vine is susceptible to black rot and botrytis. It used to be cultivated in the Isère département and in Savoie in the east of France. Today it has almost disappeared; a small population exists under the name Gros Béclan in the Jura region. In the 1880s, it was introduced to California, where it was cultivated in Sonoma County. In 2016, however, no stock was recorded under the name Peloursin. However, 53 hectares of vines were recorded in Portugal under the name Tinta Penajoia; it is possibly the same grape variety (Kym Anderson statistics).
The complicated history of confusion in California concerning Durif, Peloursin and Syrah in connection with the name Petite Si(y)rah is described in detail under the heading Durif.
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Images: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
