Duras (grape)

Duras
Grape (Vitis)
Duras in Viala & Vermorel
Species	Vitis vinifera
Also called	Cabernet Duras (more)
Origin	France
Notable regions	Gaillac
Hazards	Oidium

Duras is a traditional French variety of red wine grape that is mostly grown around the Tarn River, northeast of Toulouse. It is usually blended with other traditional varieties, but production has been declining in recent years.

Despite the name the grape appears to have no connection with of the Côtes de Duras east of Bordeaux, at least it is not grown there today. Nor is any link known to the Durasa of Piedmont.

Viticulture came to the Tarn with the Romans, but little is known of the history of Duras.

DNA fingerprinting has recently suggested that with Petit Verdot from Bordeaux, it is a parent of the Tressot variety.

Duras is only really found in the upper reaches of the Tarn River, in Gaillac, the Côtes de Millau and the Vins d'Estaing north of Rodez. It makes robust red wines with a peppery note that are typically blended with other traditional varieties such as Fer and Négrette.

The vine is susceptible to oidium and black rot with a tendency to bud early.

Cabernet Duras, Durade, Duras Femelle, Duras Male, Duras Rouge, Durasca, Duraze