The white grape variety originates from France. Synonyms are Gros Mansenc, Gros Manseng Blanc, Manseng Gros Blanc (France); Izkiriot Haundi, Iskiriota Zuri Handia (Spain). The very old variety was first mentioned in 1562 in Jurançon by a wine, namely "vinhe mansengue", but it was not until 1783 that a text distinguished between the two varieties Petit Manseng (with small berries) and Gros Manseng (with large berries). Pierre Galet (1921-2019) had already noted great morphological similarities between the two varieties in 1990. However, the parentage of Gros Manseng is unknown. Gros Manseng was a crossing partner in the new variety Heranecot.
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