The white grape variety originates from France. Synonyms are Escriberou, Mansein Blanc, Manseing, Mansenc Blanc, Mansenc Grisroux, Manseng Blanc, Manseng Petit Blanc, Mansengou, Mansic, Mansin, Mausec, Miot (France); Ichiriota Zuria Tipia, Izkiriot Ttipi, Iskiriota Zuri Tipia,(Spain). The very old variety was first mentioned in 1562 in the Jurançon by a wine, namely "vinhe mansengue", but it was not until 1783 that a text distinguished between the two varieties Petit Manseng (with small berries) and Gros Manseng (with large berries). The French ampelographer Pierre Galet (1921-2019) had already noted great morphological similarities between the two varieties in 1990. According to DNA analyses carried out in 2021, it originates from a presumably natural cross between unknown parent variety x Savagnin Blanc (Traminer). It is not known whether there is a relationship to the red variety Manseng Noir; its parentage is unknown.
The medium to late ripening vine is extremely resistant to botrytis due to its thick, hard-skinned berries. It produces aromatic white wines with high alcohol and acid content and ageing potential. The variety is the main component of the white wines of Jurançon and Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh, is also permitted in many other areas in south-western France and is also grown in Languedoc. The area under cultivation in France is 1,247 hectares with an increasing trend. Under the above names, Petit Manseng is permitted in the northern Spanish region of the Basque Country (País Vasco) in the DO areas and occupies 3 hectares there. There are further stocks in Italy (4 ha), as well as overseas in Argentina (12 ha), Chile (0.4 ha) and USA in the states of Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia (32 ha in total). In 2016, a total of 1,299 hectares were designated with an increasing trend (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)
