Aspiran Noir or Aspiran is a red French wine grape variety planted
primarily in the Languedoc where it permitted under Appellation
d'origine contrôlée (AOC) regulations in the red wines of the
Minervois AOC. Aspiran is a very old variety with a long history
of producing light bodied and perfumed wines.
Before the phylloxera epidemic, Aspiran was common in Languedoc,
in particular in Hérault, where it once represented one quarter of
the plantations in this department. The grape variety is probably
named after the town Aspiran in Hérault. The severe frost in 1956
killed off much of the then existing Aspiran plantations. In 1988,
only 7 hectares (17 acres) remained, and the variety is usually
not being replanted.
Synonyms
Aspiran Noir is also known under the synonyms Aspiran, Aspiran
Chernyi, Aspiran Csornüj, Aspirant, Epiran, Espiran, Peyral,
Peyrar, Piran, Ribeyrenc, Riverain, Riveyrenc, Riveyrene, Spiran,
Verdai, Verdal, and Verdal Noir.
Other grape varieties
There are also several other grape varieties where Aspiran forms
part of their name, including Aspiran Blanc and Aspiran Gris, but
only Aspiran Noir is simply called "Aspiran". Aspiran should not
be confused with the Greek white grape variety Aspirant. |
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