The red grape variety originates from France. Synonyms are Balouzat, Bordelais Noir, Bouchalès, Bourdalès, Grand Vesparo, Grosse Mérille, Meril, Mérille Daouzero, Monglun, Périgord, Petit Piquart, Picard, Piquat, Plant de Bordeaux, Plant de Gibert, Ponchou, Pouchon, Pounchon, Saint Rabier and Vesparo à Queue Verte.

The variety was first mentioned in 1783. The parentage is unknown (ex VIVC catalogue). It should not be confused with the varieties Bouchalès, Cot (synonym Grosse Mérille) or Milgranet (synonym Petit Mérille) due to partly identical synonyms or morphological similarities. According to DNA analyses carried out in 2009, there is a parent-offspring relationship with the variety Prunelard (ex Wine Grapes).
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