This week’s Wine of the Week, the 2019 Copain Estate Trousseau, is a cellar selection featuring a grape variety of which I’m a big fan – Trousseau Noir.

About Trousseau Noir

Trousseau (pronounced troo-sow) Noir is ancient grape variety that is indigenous to eastern France’s Jura region between Burgundy and Switzerland. There, is it a key component in the Jura AOP’s of Côtes du Jura, Arbois, and Arbois-Pupillin to make red, rosé  and sparkling wines.

However, it’s most widely planted in Portugal where it is known as Bastardo. There, it’s interplanted, field blend style, with other varieties used to produce Port in the Douro region.

Though planted in diminutive amounts in California, (based on my research, I’d SWAG it at less than 20 acres), it’s become a bit of a darling among winemakers looking to produce distinctive and unusual wine vinified in as natural manner possible.

It’s history in California dates to the 19th century. The immigrants who planted the grape did so in the same way they did back home, interplanted with other grape varieties and vinified as a field blend.

Wines made from Trousseau at once, paradoxical and compelling. The wines are typically so lightly extracted they are pale (almost as pale as a dark rosé) and light-bodied, yet there are intensely flavorful, with a firm tannin grip. They show very lively acidity, with floral aromatic and often with a lovely, appetizing bitterness.

2019 Copain Estate Trousseau

Wells Guthrie, the founder of Copain Wines, used cuttings from Northern California’s only contiguous trousseau noir vineyard – the Luchsinger Vineyard in Lake County, and grafted over three and a half acres of his Russian River vineyard. Those seasoned vines are the source of fruit for this wine.

Tasting Note: Pale ruby color with strawberry, red cherry, cranberry, white pepper and forest floor and a hint of violet aromas. On the palate, it’s light-bodied with very juicy acidity, and gauzy tannins with ripe strawberry, sour red cherry, and orange zest flavors accented earthy savory notes and an appetizing bit of bitterness. Medium + finish. 12% abv| SRP-$42

Trousseau Noir is often compared to Pinot Noir, and that comparison is certainly apt here. This charming and elegant wine is redolent with red fruit flavors and juicy acidity. I found it to be quite food friendly and it also takes a chill well.

More please!

About Copain Wines

Perched on a hillside overlooking the bucolic Russian River Valley, Copain specializes in vineyard designate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. 

Founded in 1999, Copain, meaning ‘friend’ or ‘buddy’ in French, embodies our philosophy that wine enhances life’s most joyous occasions, and is an experience best shared with friends and family. Sourced from cool climate vineyards in Mendocino, Monterey, and Sonoma counties, the Copain portfolio consists of appellation and vineyard designate wine offerings. These wines have been long inspired by traditional French winemaking practices, resulting in Copain’s signature style of restrained, and elegant wines.

Sources and resources:

• https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/12/dining/california-trousseau-captures-the-imagination.html
• https://www.winetraveler.com/grape/trousseau/
• https://www.copainwines.com/story
• https://daily.sevenfifty.com/is-trousseaus-future-in-american-vineyards/