The grape variety family originates from France. It has produced numerous mutations in different colours, which can also be found together on one vine and sometimes even on one bunch. There are three varieties with partly identical synonyms such as Bourret, Tarrain, Tarret, Terrain and Terret Bourret:
- Terret Blanc (Bourett Blanc, Tarret Blanc, Terre)
- Terret Gris (Terret Grigio, Terret Rose)
- Terret Noir (Terre Chernyi, Terre Noir, Terret du Pays, Terret Nero)
These varieties are among the oldest in the Languedoc. The origin is probably in the department of Hérault. The parentage is unknown. It was possibly first mentioned as early as 1619, according to a secure source in 1676. The late-ripening, high-yielding vine is susceptible to both types of mildew and very sensitive to grape berry moth. It produces wines with high acidity and a neutral taste in Terret Blanc and Terret Gris, and a rather light red colour in Terret Noir. Terret Gris was a crossing partner in the new variety Terret Bouschet, Terret Blanc in the new variety Bokay.
With over 8,000 hectares, Terret Gris was the most common grape variety in the Languedoc at the end of the 1950s; in 2016, it was only 76 hectares. For Terret Blanc, 872 hectares and for Terret Noir 139 hectares of vines were reported, with a declining trend (Kym Anderson). The largest quantities are cultivated in the département of Hérault. The three varieties are also often planted in mixed sets in the vineyards. The two white varieties were formerly used for distillation and for Vermouth used for the production of wine. There are hardly any single-varietal wines; they are mostly permitted in wines of the southern Rhône (e.g. Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côtes du Rhône), in Languedoc (e.g. Corbières and Minervois) and Provence (e.g. Cassis and Palette).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Pictures: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
