I last discussed Negrette in a post on July 20th, 2022, after having a wine from the Paso Robles region of central California. Negrette is a red grape from the Toulouse region of southern France. No studies have been conducted to determine its genetic heritage, so any theories on its origin have yet to be proven or disproven. The grape is a deep red color with plenty of aromatic floral character. It is often blended with other grapes, such as Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc, to add complexity to the final blend. Many draw parallels between Negrette and Gamay (used for Beaujolais production). It is mainly grown near the towns of Fronton and Villaudric. In Cotes du Frontonnais, it is required to be 50-70% of the blend. In Villaudric, the requirement is at least 30%. The grape is highly susceptible to many vineyard hazards, such as poor fruit set, botrytis, and powdery mildew. This leads to unpredictable yields, and makes it challenging to grow.
This week I drank a 2024 Anne Arbeau ‘Le Temps des Fleurs’ Fronton AOP. The blend in this wine was 70% Negrette, 15% Syrah, and 15% Gamay. This wine was a pale ruby color with lots of herbal, floral, and red fruit aromas. On the palate, this dry wine has a lower level of soft tannins and low alcohol with a moderate body and acidity. This wine is very unique on the palate, with a distinctive black tea note, along with potpourri, cranberries, violets, anise, and roses. It really made me wish I had some finger sandwiches from an afternoon tea. These flavors slowly trail off on the long finish. This wine would be refreshing if served slightly chilled. It would pair well with coronation chicken sandwiches, charcuterie, mushroom risotto, or roast poultry.
-TheLooseTannin
A Trip Around the World of Wine in 52 Weeks 