Durif

Durif (or Dufiff) is a minor variety of red wine grape grown in France, California and Australia. A recent, (9/1997), DNA analysis report shows this variety likely to be a cross between Peloursin and Syrah. It is definitely one of the grapes known as the Petite Sirah variety extensively planted in California, although other analysis has shown that in vineyards with the most reliable planting records it may only be one of three distinct varieties known collectively as "Petite Sirah". The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms allows either name to be used on U.S. wine labels. Old plantings of Durif are currently (1997) found, and used to produce popular wine, in the Rutherglen (N.E Victoria) region of Australia.