Petit Manseng

Petit Manseng is a white grape from southwest France, the star of Jurançon in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Its small, thick-skinned berries hang on the vine well into autumn, shriveling and concentrating sugar while keeping remarkable acidity, which makes it one of the great late-harvest grapes: sweet Jurançon has notes of pineapple, mango, honey, ginger and citrus peel, balanced by a bright, cutting finish. It also makes dry and off-dry wines of great intensity, and it is used in Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh. Virginia has found success with it in the United States.