Négrette: The Aromatic Jewel of Southwest France

An emblematic grape variety with mysterious origins

When it comes to the archaeological vineyards of southwestern France, the Négrette black grape is perhaps best placed. Its birth is marked by magical events that have made this local vein an emblematic native variety. According to one version of the story, it was brought to France in the Middle Ages by the Templars from the Middle East.

Others, on the other hand, propose that it derives from a local wild vine fertilized by pollinators from the Mediterranean, like the famous Cahors malbec or cot. In any case, both the application and the ampelography support the conclusion that, from the end of the 15th to the beginning of the 16th century, the Pinot Saint-George had already made a name for itself in Gaillac, Fronton, Villaudric, Carbonne and Cazères. In addition, La negrette was making a solid start with the upper Garonne, Haute-Garonne, Tarn-et-Garonne and Tarn regions, which marked out the South-West's deep-rooted geographical lines as protected designation of origin wine-producing regions.

In any case, ampelographic writings attest to the importance of the negrette since the 14th century in the vineyards of Gaillac, Fronton, Villaudric, Carbonne and Cazères. Its solid presence in Haute-Garonne, Tarn-et-Garonne and, in the past, Tarn, testifies to its deep roots in the South-West terroir.

A Singular Ampelographic Diversity

Visit negrette comes in three distinct types, differentiated by the shape of their clusters. However, they all share common features: cottony buds with carmine bangs, downy young leaves with velvety undersides, adult leaves with five well-defined lobes, shallow upper lateral sinuses and lyre-shaped lower sinuses. Their medium-sized clusters bear round berries.

Captivating aromas, versatile wines

What characterizes negretteis its incredible aromatic palette. Its wines sometimes evoke the delicate scents of violets, sometimes more animal notes of leather. There are also flavors of cocoa, burnt gum, blackcurrant, strawberry, raspberry, jasmine, pepper and licorice. A veritable symphony for the taste buds!

Vinified in red, the Pinot Saint-George produces fruity, aromatic wines, generally low in tannins but rich in anthocyanins. Their low acidity makes them ideal for quick drinking when young. As for rosé wines, they are of remarkable quality, with perfect balance.

The Production Area: The heart of the South-West vineyards

With 1056 hectares dedicated to its cultivation, mainly to the north and east of Toulouse, the negrette is particularly well-suited to the Frontonnais region. This specific terroir, marked by a temperate oceanic climate, is ideally suited to this relatively late variety, whose vegetative cycle ends 2 to 2.5 weeks after Chasselas.

Visit negrette appreciates acid silico-clay soils rich in sand and gravel, known locally as "boulbènes". On the other hand, it is not very productive on clay-limestone soils. It also benefits from iron in the soil.

Generous Vigor but Definite Sensitivity

Vigorous and fertile when pruned short, the negrette is nonetheless a variety of uncertain yield. It is prone to millerandage, coulure and capricious fertility in the event of bad weather during flowering.

Its greatest weakness remains its high susceptibility to fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and gray mold, as well as to pests such as leafhoppers and mites. Moreover, over-dense planting favors the development of these pathogens.

Reasoned Cultural Practices for a Sustainable Future

Faced with these phytosanitary challenges, winegrowers in the South-West of France have adopted integrated cultivation methods, combining integrated pest management, weed control and green harvesting. The aim is to preserve the heritage represented by this endemic grape variety, while reducing the environmental impact of its production.

The five approved negrette (456, 580, 581, 582 and 663), from the conservatory set up in Fronton in 1997, perpetuate its unique ampelographic characteristics. Clonal selection is essential to guarantee the authenticity of this jewel of the Southwest.

Monocépage Négrette: A Pure and Racy Expression

If the negrette is used in numerous blends, notably with cot, fer servadou and cabernet sauvignon, it is fully expressed as a single variety. 100% wines Pinot Saint-George offer all the quintessence of its incomparable aromatic profile, combining intense fruity notes and spicy touches on a characteristic violet background.

The Fronton and Côtes du Frontonnais appellations are the standard-bearers of this pure juice vinification. negrette. They perpetuate the age-old tradition of a vineyard that has preserved its identity over the centuries.

Négrette in blends: a touch of aromatic elegance

Although rich enough to hold its own as a single-varietal variety, the negrette also brings a touch of elegance to South-West blends. Its delicate violet aromas and supple tannins counterbalance the tannic power and woody notes of fer servadou or cot.

It is found in wines from the Gaillac, Marcillac and Brulhois appellations, where it enhances the aromatic palette and adds roundness on the palate. A subtle marriage between old vines and young shoots for wines of incredible complexity.

Négrette Wines: For what occasions?

Whether vinified as pure juice or blended, wines from negrette lend themselves to a wide range of food/wine pairings. Their intense aromatic profile and relative lightness make them excellent companions for grilled red meats, game or blue-veined cheeses.

But it's perhaps on the summer table, accompanying mixed salads, tapas or grilled meats, that wines from Pinot Saint-George express their full freshness and gourmet potential. An ode to pleasure and conviviality, the South-West way!

Négrette, a living heritage to be preserved

Beyond its undeniable organoleptic qualities, the negrette represents a veritable cultural and historical heritage for southwestern France. This grape variety of distant origins embodies the richness and diversity of a terroir shaped by centuries of winemaking tradition.

By rediscovering and promoting the negretteToday's winegrowers are perpetuating the heritage of their ancestors while looking to the future. For behind every glass of this aromatic, gourmet wine lies a treasure to be protected: that of the negrettethe jewel of southwestern France.

Find out more

Find out more about the grape variety Pinot Saint-George and explore its many facets, here are some useful resources to consult:

Wine Searcher: Négrette - An online encyclopedia to discover the characteristics and wines made from Négrette.
Wikipedia: Négrette - A comprehensive summary of the history, distribution and vinification of Négrette.
Grape-variety: Négrette - Detailed information on the viticulture and characteristics of this unique grape variety.

These links offer an enriching insight into this jewel of south-western France, perfect for wine lovers looking to deepen their knowledge.