Grape Variety
Trousseau
“Jura's Translucent Cult Wine”
Trousseau is a red wine grape grown in Jura, California — known as “Jura's Translucent Cult Wine”.
Trousseau at a glance
| Color | Red |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Bastardo |
| Signature flavors | Strawberry, Cranberry, Rose Petal, White Pepper, Herbs, Pomegranate, Mineral, Floral |
| Classic pairings | Charcuterie, Chicken, Trout, Soft cheeses, Mushrooms |
| Where it grows | Jura, California |
The Story
Trousseau is Jura's rarest red grape. By 2000, only 50 hectares remained in France. It was nearly extinct. Then, California cult winemaker Abe Schoener (Scholium Project) started importing Trousseau and making it in California. Sommeliers went crazy. Demand for Jura Trousseau exploded. The phoenix rose.
Insider Story
Trousseau (also called Bastardo in Portugal) was planted across Jura until the 1900s. Then phylloxera destroyed most vineyards. Replanting favored Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (international grapes). Trousseau was forgotten. By 2000, only 50 hectares remained.
Abe Schoener (Scholium Project, California) discovered Trousseau in the early 2000s. He imported vines and made translucent, elegant, aromatic Trousseau in California. Wine critics scored it 92-95 points. 'This is America's Burgundy!' Sommeliers started seeking out Jura Trousseau. Prices jumped from $15 to $40-80.
But Trousseau is incredibly difficult to grow. It's prone to coulure (poor fruit set), oidium (powdery mildew), and grey rot. Yields are tiny (20-30 hL/ha). Most farmers can't afford the risk. Plantings remain under 100 hectares globally. It's one of the world's rarest grapes.
Technical Deep Dive
Trousseau has thin skins (pale color, low tannins: 1,200-1,800 mg/L) and high acidity (6-7 g/L). It's translucent—pale ruby to garnet. Alcohol: 12-13.5% ABV.
Winemaking: whole-cluster fermentation (50-100%), carbonic maceration (some producers), neutral oak or stainless steel (preserve delicate aromatics). The wine is fragile—oxidizes easily. Sulfur management is critical.
Industry Secrets
Portuguese Bastardo (same grape as Trousseau) is dirt cheap. Niepoort's 'Diálogo' (Portugal $15-30) is Bastardo-based and tastes like $50-80 Jura Trousseau. Nobody knows it's the same grape.
Collector’s Corner
Investment grade C+- Auction records
- Minimal. Domaine de la Pinte ($40), Stéphane Tissot ($50)
- Blue-chip producers
- ["Domaine de la Pinte","Stéphane Tissot","Domaine de la Tournelle"]
- Value picks
- Jura ($25-50), Portuguese Bastardo ($15-30)
- Price trend
- Natural wine trend driving interest. Up 50% since 2018.
- Collector’s tip
- Cult among sommeliers but not mainstream investment. Portuguese Bastardo is same grape at half the price.
Updated March 2026
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