Petit Meslier

Petit Meslier
Petit Meslier
Grape (Vitis)
Color of berry skin	Blanc
Species	Vitis vinifera
Also called	Aubin (more)
Origin	France
Notable regions	Champagne (wine region)
Notable wines	Duval-Leroy Authentis Petit Meslier
VIVC number	7675

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.^[1] In the very rare cases where it is not blended, it makes crisp wines tasting of apples. The Traminer family of grapes can be difficult to grow, with poor disease resistance and low yields.

History and pedigree[]

DNA fingerprinting has shown that like Aubin blanc, Petit Meslier is the result of a cross between Gouais blanc and Savagnin. Gouais blanc is a parent of Chardonnay and Aubin vert among others, and Savagnin is common in Jura wine (including Vin jaune) and is a variety in the Traminer family which also includes Gewürztraminer. The Swiss variety Amigne also has a parent-offspring relationship with Petit Meslier.^[2]

Australia[]

Levrier Wines by Jo Irvine believe that their Meslier Brut Rosé is the only single varietal Meslier Rosé produced in the world. Grapes are sourced from a single vineyard from the Adelaide Hills in South Australia.

France[]

There are just 20 hectares in France.^[1] Duval-Leroy have made a single varietal champagne, the Authentis Petit Meslier, which was criticised by Decanter for over-oaking.^[3] Champagne Moutard use 1/6th of Petit Meslier in their unique "Cuvée Six Cépages" : Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Blanc, Arbane and Petit Meslier.

Champagne Laherte Frères has some in its cuvée "Les 7" along with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Meunier, Arbanne and Fromenteau.

L. Aubry Fils includes Petit Meslier as a component of the "Le Nombre d'Or Sablé Blanc des Blancs Brut Campanae Veteres Vites" bottling as well as part of the standard Brut bottling.

Synonyms[]

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 Lye^[4]

References[]

^ ^a ^b "Irvine Wines Tasting Page". Irvine Wines. Archived from the original on 2007-07-01. Retrieved 2007-08-28.
^ Jancis Robinson, ed. (2006). "Amigne". Oxford Companion to Wine (Third ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 20. ISBN 0-19-860990-6.
^ "Decanter World Wine Awards 2005". Decanter. Retrieved 2007-08-28.
^ Maul, Erika; Töpfer, Reinhard; Eibach, Rudolf (2007). "Vitis International Variety Catalogue". Institute for Grapevine Breeding Geilweilerhof (IRZ), Siebeldingen, Germany. Retrieved 2007-08-28.

[Irvine-1] "Irvine Wines Tasting Page". Irvine Wines. Archived from the original on 2007-07-01. Retrieved 2007-08-28.

[OCW-2] Jancis Robinson, ed. (2006). "Amigne". Oxford Companion to Wine (Third ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 20. ISBN 0-19-860990-6.

[3] "Decanter World Wine Awards 2005". Decanter. Retrieved 2007-08-28.

[VIVC-4] Maul, Erika; Töpfer, Reinhard; Eibach, Rudolf (2007). "Vitis International Variety Catalogue". Institute for Grapevine Breeding Geilweilerhof (IRZ), Siebeldingen, Germany. Retrieved 2007-08-28.

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