Everything About Manseng-Blanc Grape
"puh-TEE mahn-SENG" 
Manseng-Blanc Description
Origin: Southwest France
History: Petit Manseng is a white wine grape variety that is grown primarily in South West France. It produces the highest quality wine of any grape in the Manseng family. The name is derived from its small, thick-skinned berries. Coupled with the small yields of the grapevine, most Petit Manseng farmers produce around 15 hl of wine per hectare. The grape is often left on the vine till December to produce a late harvest dessert wine. It can develop high sugar levels while maintaining acidity, so it is usually incorporated into sweet wines of Jurançon and Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh.
Appearance: Small, thick-skinned berries with a golden-yellow hue when ripe.
Growing Traits: Petit Manseng is a vigorous grape variety, and to limit both its productivity and the risks linked to excess humidity – Béarn is a region with abundant rainfall – it is trained in high, relatively long vine stocks (called Hautains - meaning 'haughty' in French - because they reach 1.70 meters in height). This type of vine training also helps to minimize the risk of freezing during budding. Petit Manseng's production is generally low, due to the small size of its grape bunches.
Food Pairing Petit Manseng's high acidity and rich texture make it a versatile companion for various dishes. Sweet versions pair well with foie gras, blue cheeses, and fruit-based desserts, while dry styles complement seafood, spicy Asian cuisine, and dishes with creamy sauces.
Body
Sweetness
Tannin
Acidity
Alcohol
Medium-bodied with a rich and opulent texture, offering both freshness and complexity. Often vinified as a sweet wine due to its high sugar accumulation, but also produced in dry styles. Negligible tannins, as it is a white grape variety, resulting in a smooth finish. High acidity, providing balance to its sweetness and contributing to its aging potential. Moderate to high alcohol content, generally around 13-14%, contributing to its richness.
Apricot 
Mango 
Honey 
Spice 
Citrus zest Petit Manseng wines are characterized by intense aromas of apricot and mango, often accompanied by honeyed notes and a hint of spice. On the palate, they exhibit a balance between sweetness and high acidity, with flavors of tropical fruits and citrus zest, leading to a long, refreshing finish.
Regions
![[object Object] Region](/regions/france.png)
France
•Jurançon
•Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh
•Southwest France
![[object Object] Region](/regions/united_states.png)
United States
•Virginia
Notable Wines and Producers
Jurançon Moelleux
•Domaine Cauhapé
•Domaine Bru-Baché
Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh
•Château Montus
•Domaine Berthoumieu
Petit Manseng (Virginia)
•Chrysalis Vineyards
•Veritas Vineyard & Winery
Manseng-Blanc FAQ
Southwest France
Manseng-Blanc has a body level of 3 out of 5. Which means that Manseng-Blanc is Moderate bodied.
Manseng-Blanc has a dryness level of 3 out of 5. Which means that Manseng-Blanc is Semi-Sweet.
Southwest France
Manseng-Blanc is grown in France (Jurançon, Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh, Southwest France)United States (Virginia).
Petit Manseng wines are characterized by intense aromas of apricot and mango, often accompanied by honeyed notes and a hint of spice. On the palate, they exhibit a balance between sweetness and high acidity, with flavors of tropical fruits and citrus zest, leading to a long, refreshing finish.
Petit Manseng's high acidity and rich texture make it a versatile companion for various dishes. Sweet versions pair well with foie gras, blue cheeses, and fruit-based desserts, while dry styles complement seafood, spicy Asian cuisine, and dishes with creamy sauces.
Petit Manseng wines are characterized by intense aromas of apricot and mango, often accompanied by honeyed notes and a hint of spice. On the palate, they exhibit a balance between sweetness and high acidity, with flavors of tropical fruits and citrus zest, leading to a long, refreshing finish.