This cross was performed in the year 1824 by a French breeder, Louis Bouschet in a vineyard owned by him in the Mauguio region in the department of Herault.

Furthermore, this red wine grape variety was also used by Louis’ son, Henri Bouschet who further created a number of other grape varieties, including the varieties of Grand Noir de la Calmette, Alicante Bouschet and Morrastel Bouschet.

This red wine grape variety experienced a very diminishing status in the remaining years of the 19th century since the region of France went through a phylloxera epidemic under which this red wine grape variety was used to fill texture, hues and color to the blends that were made from the hybrid grapes as well as other kinds of high yielding grape varieties.

The offspring of this red wine grape variety, namely, Alicante Bouschet became a very famous grape variety in that particular region, famous to the extent that it almost covered up for the popularity of its parent grape variety.

Today, the plantings of Petit Bouschet are hardly found in the existence and this red wine grape variety is on the very verge of extinction.

This red wine grape variety is considered as an early to mid-ripening type of grape that buds very early. This factor can make this red wine grape variety very much prone to the damage from the early spring frost in a few areas where this grape variety is planted.

The vines of this red wine grape variety are considered as very vigorous as well as high-yielding grape variety and if they are not checked properly, they could be prone to winter pruning.

This red wine grape variety also entertains a capability to produce a number of basal shoots that develop on the trunk of the grapevine right below the cordons.

Referred to as suckers, these shoots have the tendency to sap the vine of the nutritional as well as water resources that would on the contrary be filleted into ripening and developing the clusters of grape and would need to be avoided throughout their respective season of growing.

Other kinds of viticultural hazards that are faced by this red wine grape variety include the infection from severe erinose mites.

This red wine grape variety was once extensively planted throughout the southern wine regions of France in the 19th century.

However, the scenario has completely changed itself today and this grape variety is barely seen into existence in these respective regions.

This is because its offspring known as Alicante Bouschet has taken over the popularity and role of adding hues and texture to the wine blends.

Despite of being on the stage of extinction, there are still some of the plantings of this red wine grape variety that are found in the regions of North Africa, specifically in Algeria. The plantings of this red wine grape variety are also found in little quantities in Portugal.

This red wine grape variety is recognized under a number of synonyms namely Aramon Teinturior, Bouschet de Bernard. Boushcet, Bouschet Petit, Petit Bouse, Tintinha, Pit Bushe etc.

Origin

This red wine grape variety was created in the year 1824 by the grape breeder, Louis Bouschet at the vineyard of Domaine de la Camette.

This vineyard was also his breeding station and was located near Montpellier in the region of southern France. This grape is nothing but a cross performed in between two different grape varieties namely, Aramon noir and Teinturier du Cher.

Thus, the resulting grape has retained the properties of both the grape varieties in one form and the other.

Characteristics

The wines produced out of this red wine grape variety are very impressive as to their appearance. They are deep red in color and look very impressive on to the tables.

This grape variety is mostly used as a blend and therefore the wines produced out of it are blends and not the varietal wines.

The level of acidity and tannins in these wines is decent. There are aromatic fragrances along with some spicy notes.

Food pairing

All the wines produced out of this red wine grape variety taste their best when they are paired with the food items such as chanfana. Cumin-rubbed roasted vegetables and breads.

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Wines with Petit Bouschet grapes