Character.
- Light to medium-bodied with bright acidity
- Flavours of red cherry, cranberry, and wild strawberry
- Savoury notes of pepper, earth, and a faint gamey edge
- Fine, gently grippy tannins
The Bold Red of the Jura
Trousseau is a red grape most closely associated with the Jura region of eastern France, where it produces the fullest and most deeply coloured of the area’s light reds. Though it is planted in only small quantities, it has a devoted following among lovers of distinctive, characterful wine.
Tasting Trousseau
Compared with the ethereal Poulsard also grown in the Jura, Trousseau gives more colour, structure, and power, though it remains light to medium-bodied by international standards. Typical characteristics include:
- Fruit: Red cherry, cranberry, and wild strawberry
- Savoury: White and black pepper, earth, and a faint gamey note
- Structure: Bright acidity with fine, gently grippy tannins
It is best served slightly cool, around 14 to 15 degrees Celsius, which lifts its fragrant red fruit.
A Grape of Many Names
Trousseau travels under several identities. In Portugal and on the island of Madeira it is known as Bastardo, where it has long featured in fortified wine blends. In the Galician and Bierzo regions of north-west Spain it is called Merenzao. It is also grown in the Jura as its full name Trousseau Noir, and a pale mutation, Trousseau Gris, has found a home in California.
Where It Grows
The heartland is Arbois, the largest appellation of the Jura. Beyond France, small plantings persist in Portugal, Spain, and among adventurous growers in California and Australia who prize its aromatic, food-friendly style.
Food Pairings
Trousseau’s acidity and savoury edge make it wonderfully versatile at the table:
- Charcuterie and cured meats
- Mushroom dishes and earthy vegetables
- Roast duck and game birds
- Comté and other Alpine cheeses
Explore with Sommo
Scan a Jura label with Sommo to understand the grape and style in your glass, and explore related discoveries such as the fortified wines of Portugal, where Trousseau lives on as Bastardo.