red grape · regional specialty
Duras
Gaillac, France
Say it
dyoo·rah
French 'u' [y] has no English equivalent; approximate as 'dyoo'; final 's' is silent
On the palate
black pepperraspberryred cherrystrawberrydried herbs
How you spot it blind: dominant black pepper spice distinguishing it from all Gaillac peers
The story
First written down · 1484, Lavaur notarial record, Gaillac region
Lacombe et al. (2013) established Duras as a Savagnin × Tressot Noir cross; near-extinct at 75 ha in 1968, plantings rebounded past 1,000 ha by 2008 following Gaillac AOC recognition in 1970.
Where it lives
Gaillac AOC · Côtes de Millau · Vins d'Estaing
Shows up as
still redroséGaillac AOC