Aspiran (grape)
Encyclopedia
Aspiran Noir or Aspiran is a red French wine
grape variety planted primarily in the Languedoc where it permitted under Appellation d'origine contrôlée
(AOC) regulations in the red wines of the Minervois AOC. Aspiran is a very old variety with a long history of producing light bodied and perfumed wines.
Before the phylloxera epidemic
, Aspiran was common in Languedoc, in particular in Hérault
, where it once represented one quarter of the plantations in this department. The grape variety is probably named after the town Aspiran
in Hérault. The severe frost in 1956 killed off much of the then existing Aspiran plantations. In 1988, only 7 hectares (17.3 acre) remained, and the variety is usually not being replanted.
French wine
French wine is produced in several regions throughout France, in quantities between 50 and 60 million hectolitres per year, or 7–8 billion bottles. France has the world's second-largest total vineyard area, behind Spain, and is in the position of being the world's largest wine producer...
grape variety planted primarily in the Languedoc where it permitted under Appellation d'origine contrôlée
Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée
Appellation d’origine contrôlée , which translates as "controlled designation of origin", is the French certification granted to certain French geographical indications for wines, cheeses, butters, and other agricultural products, all under the auspices of the government bureau Institut National...
(AOC) regulations in the red wines of the Minervois AOC. Aspiran is a very old variety with a long history of producing light bodied and perfumed wines.
Before the phylloxera epidemic
Great French Wine Blight
The Great French Wine Blight was a severe blight of the mid-19th century that destroyed many of the vineyards in France and laid to waste the wine industry...
, Aspiran was common in Languedoc, in particular in Hérault
Hérault
Hérault is a department in the south of France named after the Hérault river.-History:Hérault is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on 4 March 1790...
, where it once represented one quarter of the plantations in this department. The grape variety is probably named after the town Aspiran
Aspiran
Aspiran is a commune in the Hérault department in southern France.-Population:-References:*...
in Hérault. The severe frost in 1956 killed off much of the then existing Aspiran plantations. In 1988, only 7 hectares (17.3 acre) remained, and the variety is usually not being replanted.