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Variety of grape From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Petit Rouge is a red Italian wine grape variety that ampelographers believe is indigenous to the Valle d'Aosta (French: Vallée d'Aoste) region of northwest Italy.[1] However, there is some confusion about whether Petit Rouge is the same variety as the red Swiss wine grape Rouge de Valais.[2]
The grape is somewhat obscure and is not widely grown outside the Valle d'Aosta where it is primarily a blending variety but some varietal wines are produced.[3] In blends, it adds floral aroma notes and dark color to the wines.[2]
Petit Rouge is primarily found in the Valle d'Aosta region of northwest Italy between Piedmont and the Alps separating Italy from France and Switzerland. In general, altitude determines which varieties of grapes may be grown in a particular location, with reds growing at lower elevations and whites at higher elevations. However, despite its high altitude and mountainous location, nearly 90% of the wine in the Valle d'Aosta is red or rosé[4][5] with Petit Rouge playing a considerable role in many of the blends produced under the Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) designation of the region. This is because the variety thrives during the hot, dry mouths of the summer, allowing time to develop sufficient sugar levels and physiological ripeness.[6]
Within the Valle d'Aosta DOC, Petit Rouge must be harvested below a maximum yield of 12 tonnes/hectare and be fermented to a minimum alcohol level of 9.5%. Prior to release, the wines must be aged a minimum of 6 months which may include some time in oak. Within the larger regional DOC are several smaller DOCs that may also include Petit Rouge. These include:[7]
Ampelographer can identify the Petit Rouge vine by the small "dusty" colored grapes that, according to wine expert Jancis Robinson, can almost look gray. During the growing season, the variety is late ripening and is often harvested with low levels of acidity. This is one reason why it is often blended where it can improve the color of the usually light-colored Valle d'Aosta wines while adding floral notes to the bouquet.[2]
Over the years Petit Rouge and its wines have been known under various synonyms including Orion gris, Oriou, Oriou Curare, Oriou gris, Oriou Lombard, Oriou Petit-Rouge, Oriou Pitchou, Oriou Voirard, Petit Rouge de Châtillion, Pitchon Roza, Ritchou Oriou, Pitchou Radzo, Pitchou Rouge, Pitchou Rozo, Picciourouzzo, Pitchou Rodza and Ritchou Rouge.
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