RARE GRAPE VARIETAL RESOURCE

An old black grape variety from the department of Aveyron, it is the result of a natural crossing between fer and black manseng. In the valley of Lot and in Estaing, it produces medium-sized. cylindrical-conical compact grapes with short stalks; the plant is semi-erect. It is a vigorous plant; however, its branches are sensitive to wind. The variety usually produces a dark colored wine with low content of tannins and alcohol. It should not be confused with the négrette à Estaing, known and included in the official catalog, while négret de Banhars was entirely unknowns and was not included in the catalog before 2004. It can produce very interesting and fruity rosé wines.

Négret de Banhars is inseparable from Aveyron and a certain number of typical varieties of the area. Although most vineyards have now disappeared, wine growing was once a flourishing activity in the area, as shown by the many terraces that can still be seen on the hills. In 1997, 54 hectares of vineyards were grown with the Entraygues-et-Le-Fel edsignation (Coubisou, Estaing and Sébrazac). Of these, only 14 were classified as VDQS (vin d’appellation de qualité supérieure). At the end of the 19th century 20,000 hectares were covered by vineyards in Aveyron, and 1200 in the canton of Estaing alone. Négret de Banhars can be grown on the hills of the villages of Estaing, Entraygues-sur-Truyère and Fel within the framework of the Entraygues-et-Le-Fel designation, however it can only account for a small part of the entire vineyard (it is mentioned as ""accessory variety"" in the set of rules of the designation, so its percentage cannot be more than 15% of the vineyard).

Today, it covers between 1 and 2 hectares between Estaing and Entraygues. About twenty pure stumps are preserved at the Conservatoire régional des cépages. Even if it was finally included in the official catalog of grape varieties for wine production, it is a forgotten variety which has virtually disappeared from the vineyards. It presents some difficulties at the time of harvest and cultivation, as the grapes are very tight and prone to rot as soon as they ripe. As it was included late in the official catalog, it has been understandably left behind in favor of other varieties. It is now important to fight for its recognition, knowing that the agreement of cloning which will enable its sale is currently pending.

(Courtesy of Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity – Ark of Taste) https://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/en/ark-of-taste-slow-food/?fwp_arca_settore=wines-and-grape-varietals-en)

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