History
and pedigree
Trousseau
Gris is a white mutation, occasionally found in
Jura and once common in California under the name
'Gray Riesling'.
Genouillet
is the result of a cross between Gouais Blanc
(Heunisch) and Bastardo.
In
1938 Harold Olmo used Trousseau to pollinate the
rupestris hybrid Alicante Ganzin to produce the
Royalty variety.
Bastardo
was crossed with the Georgian variety Saperavi
to produce the Bastardo Magarachskii variety used
in the Crimea.
Distribution and Wines
A
little is grown in Argentina and on the north
coast of Spain.
Australia
A
small amount is grown in Australia under the name
Gros Cabernet.
France
It
is grown in small amounts in eastern and southern
France, notably to stiffen blends with the pale
Poulsard in the Jura.
Portugal
It's
part of the blend for port wine.
USA
As
in Portugal, it is used to make fortified wines
in California. Not much is grown, although some
is misidentified as petite sirah.
Vine and Viticulture
It
needs hot, dry conditions to do well. The name
Trousseau is a reference to the shape of the bunch,
it looks 'packed up'