Durif: Has several synonym names including Duriff and Pinot de l'Ermitage. Well known variety grown in France, California and Australia. A recent DNA analysis report (Meredith C.P., et al., 'Am. J. Enol. Vitic.' 50(3): 236-42 1999) shows this variety is possibly a cross between a seedling of Peloursin and the Syrah varieties. The recent discovery that the Petite Sirah variety extensively planted in California is identical to, and so is a synonym name for, the subject cultivar was complicated by the use of accessions from vineyards with the most reliable planting records which made it appear that the latter variety may also have been one of several other distinct varieties, all having grower support for the claim of legitimacy. Old vine plantings of Durif are currently (1997) found, and used to produce popular wine, in the Rutherglen (N.E Victoria) region of Australia. (For more information see 'Petite Sirah' below).

 

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Durif: Has several synonym names including Duriff and Pinot de l'Ermitage. Well known variety grown in France, California and Australia. A recent DNA analysis report (Meredith C.P., et al., 'Am. J. . . . View Full Definition

Petite Sirah: Historically has been something of a 'mystery' vine. When first imported into California this variety somehow acquired the subject name possibly as a result of a labeling error confusing it . . . View Full Definition

Peloursin: Almost extinct French red-wine grape recently identified as one of the varieties whose DNA is present in the Durif and Petite Sirah varieties of France and California and, until recently, at . . . View Full Definition