The Trousseau red wine variety was once widespread, especially in the Jura, where it was first mentioned in a document in 1732. At that time it was called Troussot and because of this name it was often confused with the Tressot grape variety grown in the Yonne department. The Trousseau was already mentioned in Portugal under the name Bastardo a good 200 years earlier. Research still assumes that its origins lie in France, but how it got to Portugal is still unknown. In the Spanish region of Rioja, the Trousseau is known as Maturana Fina. The Trousseau sprouts early and ripens early. It is very demanding when it comes to its location because it needs a perfect orientation to the sun in order to reach full maturity. Its grapes are small and compact, and the berries are also small and thick-skinned. The Trousseau is sensitive and therefore quite susceptible to a whole range of vine diseases, especially black rot and sour rot. He maintains close family ties to the Savagnin variety as well as to the white wine varieties Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc. If the yields are too high, the wines turn out to be somewhat pale and not very expressive. Today there are still 200 hectares in production in the Jura, producing red and rosé wines as well as the fortified wine Macvin de Jura. It can also be found in the cuvée for the Crémant du Jura. In Spain, in addition to Rioja, it can also be found in Galicia under different names. In Ribeira Sacra and Valdeorras, red wines are produced from it in conjunction with the red wine variety Mencia. Over 1000 hectares are planted with the Trousseau under the name Bastardo in the Douro, Dão and Beiras regions. The Trousseau can also be found occasionally in the New World, for example in the Russian River Valley in California. Fortified wines in the port style are often produced here. There is also the Trousseau Gris mutation, from which white wines are occasionally produced in California and Oregon.
This grape variety is also known by the name of:
Abrunhal, Bastardinha, Bastardinho, Bastardo Dos Frados, Bastardo, Bastardo Do Castello, Bolonio, Donzelino De Castille, Chauche Noir, Cruchenton Rouge, Carnaz, Maturana Tinta, Gris De Salces, Maturana Tinto, Merenzao, Merenzano, Maria Adona, Maria, Maria Adorna, Maria Ardona, Maria Ordona, Pecho, Pinot Gris De Rio Negro, Pardinho, Trousse, Trousseau Gris, Troussot, Trusseau, Trusiaux, Trussiau, Verdejo Tinto, Semillon Rouge, Triffault, Roibal, Tintollo Borgolona
