Négrette, black grape variety special to the vineyards north of Toulouse in south west france. In fronton, it must dominate the blend and in Vins de lavilledieu it must constitute at least 30%. Wine made from Négrette is more supple, perfumed, and flirtatious than that produced from the more famous south western black grape variety tannat, and is best drunk young, with its fruit, sometimes described as having a slightly animal, or violet, flavour, unsuppressed by heavy oak ageing. The variety is inconveniently prone to powdery mildew and botrytis bunch rot and is therefore better suited to the hot, dry climate of Toulouse than to many other wine regions. Total French plantings had fallen slightly to 1,160 ha/2,865 acres by 2011. A little is also planted in California where it was once known as Pinot St George.
