Négrette

Négrette is the signature black grape of Fronton, north of Toulouse, and one of Southwest France’s most distinctive local varieties. Its aromatic identity can be floral and spicy, while its structure is not uniformly heavy: Plantgrape describes generally modest tannin and acidity, whereas Fronton producers make both lighter, fresh wines and more powerful examples intended to age. The grape’s precise historical origin is less certain than its modern home. Plantgrape gives Southwest France; the Fronton authority treats a local Tarn-area origin as more plausible than the old Cyprus legend.

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