Viticultural Information
Durif (Petite Sirah)
Description
Species: Vitis vinifera A French nurseryman by the name of Durif first propagated the variety in the 1880s in the Rhône Valley. Recent DNA research at University of California, Davis, indicates Durif resulted from a cross between the Rhône varieties Syrah and Peloursin. Charles McIver, founder of Linda Vista Winery near Mission San Jose, was the first to import the vine into California in 1884, along with Durif was popular in the Central Valley during the planting boom of the 1970s, mainly to add color and tannin to generic wines. Most of these vines have been removed due to virus presence, disappointing yields, and susceptibility to sunburn and berry shrivel. Durif has regained some popularity as a niche variety in coastal plantings. Traditionally, Durif vineyards were head trained and spur pruned in a similar fashion to Zinfandel. Some wine producers have planted new vineyards in this same fashion. Head-trained vines on shallow soils should be limited to 7 to 10 spurs per vine. Ten to 12 spurs per vine are satisfactory with bilateral cordon-trained vines in deeper coastal soils; 12 to 14 spurs per vine may be used in warmer districts. Durif produces a full-bodied, red table wine with deep color and long aging potential. In California, most varietal Durif wines are labeled Petite Sirah. Durif is often used as a blending component to add color and body to lighter red wines.
People
Links
Foundation Plant Services at UC Davis is the source of Foundation grapevine material for the nursery industry, and the staff can provide information about possible sources for obtaining this stock. The National Grape Registry (NGR) contains information about varieties of wine, juice, and table grapes, raisins, and grape rootstocks available in the United States. Growers, nurseries, winemakers and researchers can find background information and source contacts for those grape varieties in this single convenient location.
Publications
NGR Match
Durif
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