Wine enthusiasts, welcome to the fascinating world of Gros manseng! Often overshadowed by more famous varieties, this grape truly deserves your full attention. With its exuberant aromas of exotic fruits and its elegant character, it indeed has some serious advantages !
Are you curious to learn more? Let La Cave Éclairée guide you for an in-depth exploration of this exceptional variety. Ready for adventure? Let's go!
Summary
The history of Gros Manseng
The Gros Manseng is an emblematic grape variety from the southwest of France and has its roots in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques region. Originally from the vineyard of Jurançon, it still plays an important role in the production of both sweet and dry wines of the appellation.
Indeed, although its cousin Petit Manseng has greater aptitude for over-ripeness, Gros Manseng is perfectly capable of producing delicious dry and sweet white wines. Its good resistance to diseases as well as its adaptation to the cooler mountain climates have also allowed it to thrive throughout the wine region of South-West (Landes, Gers, Lot-et-Garonne, Pyrénées, etc.).
In France, Gros Manseng is now cultivated on nearly 2,800 hectares, mainly in the south-west. If this is relatively little, it should be kept in mind that the variety covered only about fifty hectares in France at the end of the 1960s !
The Gros Manseng is also experiencing a revival today thanks to bold winemakers who are now harnessing its potential to create elegant, fruity, and refreshing wines. This grape variety is indeed perfectly suited to new consumption trends, thus rising to the ranks of the rising stars in the world of white wines.
The flagship regions of Gros Manseng
As already mentioned, Gros Manseng is an iconic grape variety of the southwest of France. There, it shares the sun-drenched slopes of the Pyrenees with Petit Manseng as well as other local varieties.
In addition to its stronghold Jurançon, Gros Manseng is also grown in other appellations such as Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh as well as the PGIs Côtes de Gascogne and Landes. Within these vineyards, it is often blended with other local grape varieties such as Ugni Blanc, Petit Courbu, or Colombard to produce fresh and lively wines that fully express the character of their terroir.
While the southwest remains the undisputed birthplace of the variety, Gros Manseng can also be found in other countries, such as Spain and Italy, where it is beginning to attract the interest of winemakers thanks to its versatility and aromatic potential.
Vines on the AOC Jurançon
The characteristics of Gros Manseng
The Gros Manseng stands out for its ability to produce white wines with intense fruity aromas while maintaining a lovely freshness. The grape clusters of this variety are generally medium-sized and composed of golden yellow berries that soak up the sun as they ripen.
Gros Manseng also has a great potential richness in sugars, making it an ideal candidate for the production of sweet, mellow, and semi-sweet wines.
From a visual perspective, wines made from Gros Manseng have a golden and bright color. On the palate, these wines are often characterized by a pleasant roundness but also a lovely liveliness.
On the aromatic side, the grape variety reveals exotic fruity notes ranging from pineapple to passion fruit, including mango. Peach, pear, and apricot notes are also common. All these aromas are often accompanied by floral nuances, such as acacia or honeysuckle, as well as honey and sweet spice notes in the sweeter versions.
What to eat with a wine made with Gros Manseng?
Are you wondering which dishes could enhance a wine made with Gros Manseng? Don’t worry, this grape variety is a true Swiss army knife in the kitchen and can be paired with a wide variety of dishes !
For dry wines made from Gros Manseng, there is no shortage of options! Consider pairings with grilled fish or seafood. Imagine a sea bass fillet with lemon or delicately briny oysters : these choices will perfectly enhance the fruity aromas and freshness of the wine.If you prefer spicy dishes, try pairing with a shrimp curry: a real treat!
Still with dry wines, and for white meat lovers, have you ever considered herb-roasted chicken or guinea fowl in creamy sauce? These dishes pair perfectly with the more dense and complex wines made from Gros Manseng.
For the best experience, serve your dry Gros Manseng between 8 and 10°C, to highlight its freshness and aromas.
Finally, sweet wines from Gros Manseng are excellent with fruit-based desserts. A pear tart or a mango salad will indeed be ideal companions to beautifully end your meal. Don’t forget that the grape variety in its "sweet" version can pair wonderfully well with blue cheeses (Roquefort, Bleu des Causses, Gorgonzola, etc.) !
To enjoy the freshness and sweetness of your mellow wine, serve it at a temperature of about 8 to 10 °C.
So, which pairing tempts you the most for your next meal?
Delicious roast chicken accompanied by a wine made from Gros Manseng
The best wines made from Gros Manseng
At La Cave Éclairée, we select for you the finest cuvées of Gros Manseng.Among our favorites, it is impossible not to mention the Château Laballe !
Located in Bas-Armagnac, this estate indeed produces white wines with excellent value for money where Gros Manseng reveals all its freshness and fruity notes. Perfect for pairing with fish or light appetizers ! Their semi-sweet cuvée "Demoiselle" will also pair divinely well with your desserts…
Another must-try is the Alain Brumont estate, a true icon of the South-West vineyards. Try, for example, their Côtes-de-Gascogne! This Gros Manseng-Sauvignon blend will make your taste buds tingle with oysters or slightly spicy accras.
Now that you know everything about Gros manseng, it's time for you to move on to tasting! Discover our exclusive selection on lacave-éclairée.fr and let yourself be tempted by these wines with captivating aromas and irresistible freshness. Take this opportunity to explore new flavors and surprise your taste buds…cheers !
