Trousseau isn't exactly a household name in Australia...
But among adventurous wine drinkers and small, quality-focused producers, it's quietly built a loyal following. Given its love of sunshine and warm climates, it's also proving surprisingly well suited to parts of Australia.
The variety can also be known by one of its aliases: Bastardo. In Portugal, where it's widely planted, it's used in everything from elegant table wines through to fortified wines like Port and Madeira. Back in France, however, it's known as Trousseau—a name believed to come from an old French word meaning "bundled up", a nod to its tightly packed grape bunches.
Its spiritual home is the Jura region in eastern France, tucked between Burgundy and Switzerland. Here, the cooler climate produces fragrant, savoury wines with bright acidity, and Trousseau is often blended with fellow Jura varieties such as Poulsard to create both red and rosé wines.
Australian winemakers have taken inspiration from both traditions. Some favour the lighter, more aromatic French expression, while others lean towards the richer, spicier Iberian style. The result is a grape capable of producing everything from delicate, floral reds to darker, fuller-bodied wines with plenty of spice and structure. Harvest timing, winemaking and regional climate all play a big part in where a wine lands on that spectrum.
Trousseau is thought to have arrived in Australia during the 19th century alongside other Portuguese varieties, although for many years it was misidentified under names such as Cabernet Gros and even Touriga. Today you'll find small plantings scattered across Tasmania, Margaret River, the Adelaide Hills and, perhaps most notably, the Barossa Valley.
One producer championing the variety is Rusden Wines
The Rusden story began in 1979 when Christine and Dennis Canute purchased 40 acres of neglected vineyard in Vine Vale, initially intending it as little more than a hobby farm while selling fruit to other wineries. Eventually Dennis and his mate Russell decided to keep a few grapes for themselves and make some wine. Combining their first names gave birth to Rusden. Christine and Dennis' son Christian joined the winemaking team in 1997 before taking over the family winery with his wife Amy in 2016, continuing Rusden's reputation for producing characterful, distinctly Barossan wines.
In the Glass
The Rusden Rocky Valley Road Trousseau opens with vibrant red and black berry fruit layered over gentle baking spice, while subtle herbal notes add freshness and lift. The palate delivers juicy blackberries, tart cherry and a hint of fruit cake spice, balanced by the variety's naturally bright acidity. Fine, black tea-like tannins provide just enough grip to frame the fruit without weighing it down.
It's a wonderfully food-friendly red that would happily sit alongside smoked brisket, slow-braised lamb, barbecue pork ribs or roasted root vegetables. If you're looking to explore something a little different without venturing too far outside your comfort zone, Trousseau is an excellent place to start.
