Petit Manseng, a white grape variety native to South-West France, is renowned for its ability to produce sweet and dessert wines of great complexity. Although its presence in Bordeaux is anecdotal today, its intense aromatic profile and high sugar concentration make it an interesting candidate for experimentation and adaptation to new contexts, particularly in the face of climate challenges.

Ampelographic profile

Characteristic	Description
Budburst	Early to mid-season.
Flowering	Early.
Véraison	Early to mid-season.
Ripening	Late, highly suited to over-ripening.
Vigour	Medium to high.
Growth habit	Erect.
Susceptibility to downy mildew	Moderately susceptible.
Susceptibility to powdery mildew	Moderately susceptible.
Susceptibility to botrytis	Low susceptibility despite over-ripening, thanks to loose bunches and thick skins.
Aromatic profile	Intense notes of citrus (pineapple, grapefruit), tropical fruit, apricot, honey.
Winemaking potential	Vins doux naturels, medium-sweet to luscious sweet wines with fine natural acidity, structure, and great ageing potential.

A variety with rich potential

Petit Manseng grapes are distinguished by their small berries and high juice concentration. Their ability to achieve over-ripeness without developing grey rot (thanks to their thick skins and loose bunches) is a major asset for producing sweet wines. Furthermore, maintaining high acidity even at advanced ripeness lends them remarkable balance.

In Bordeaux's history, where grape variety diversity was far broader prior to the 19th century, it is not improbable that varieties with similar profiles existed to produce dessert wines. While Petit Manseng is not historically documented in Bordeaux like Mancin or Castets, its profile could inspire winemakers keen to diversify their sweet wine range or experiment with innovative blends. It can be compared to certain rediscovered varieties such as Jurançon blanc, another South-Western variety, which may have had a modest presence in the region.

Given its hardiness and relative disease resistance, Petit Manseng is also an excellent candidate for biodynamic or agroecological viticulture, fitting naturally into the broader debate on resilient grape varieties in Bordeaux. Its ability to thrive and ripen even in warmer climatic conditions makes it an interesting variety for the future of the Bordeaux vineyard in the 21st century, alongside other varieties from elsewhere that might find their place. In this context, one recalls the anecdotal and short-lived presence in Bordeaux of Riesling (or Johannisberg), another marker of this past or potential diversity.

The work of remembrance and perseverance that we carry out every day at Château Cazebonne aims to replant these forgotten grape varieties, one by one, to bring a palette of unsuspected flavours back to life. This ambitious project is only possible thanks to the invaluable support of the many wine enthusiasts who have embraced our wines and share our passion for rediscovering Bordeaux's viticultural heritage, thereby proving that the history of Bordeaux wine is far from set in stone and that new flavours of yesteryear await us. Likewise, other lesser-known varieties such as Lauzet, a discreet Pyrenean grape variety, cousin to Bordeaux varieties, deserve attention. To deepen your knowledge of this fascinating history, Jean-Baptiste Duquesne has published the book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages". If you would like to receive the digital edition by email, go to receive the book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages". If you wish to test your wine knowledge, feel free to explore our wine quizzes, or to discover the culmination of this approach and taste our cuvées crafted from these rediscovered varieties, we invite you to browse our online wine shop. Other varieties with unique characteristics, such as the Mauzac rose grape variety, also contribute to this revived sensory richness.