Marsanne

  • Color: White
  • Grape Parentage: unconfirmed (Marsanne and Roussanne have a parent-offspring relationship, but which is the parent is not known)
  • Place of Origin: Rhône Valley
  • Origin of Grape Name: Marsanne’s namesake is the town of Marsanne, near Montélimar.  It first appears in print in 1781.
  • Major Countries of Production:
    • France: 1,430 hectares (2011, FranceAgrimer)
      • Drôme département: 277 ha
      • Ardèche département: 232 ha
    • Australia: approx. 200 ha (2008, Wine Grapes)
    • Switzerland: 47 ha (unknown, Wine Grapes)
  • Synonyms:
    • France: Grosse Roussette (Savoie)
    • Switzerland: Ermitage
    • Spain: Marsana
  • Viticultural Characteristics: Late Budding, Mid-Ripening, High Vigor, Susceptible to Powdery Mildew, and Botrytis/Bunch Rot, Small Berries
  • Preferred Soil Type: Stony, low-vigor soils
  • Common Blending Partners: Roussanne, Viognier

Typical Descriptors and Structure for Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage Blanc
(typically Marsanne-dominated blends with a small proportion of Roussanne) 

  • Visual: Yellow Color with Hints of Gold and Green, Moderate Plus to High Concentration
  • Aromas/Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity
    • Fruit: Ripe Stone Fruit (Apricot, Apricot Kernel, White Peach, White Plum), RIpe Tree Fruit (Quince, Pear, Baked Apple), Melon, Orange Marmalade, Citron/Lemon Oil
    • Oxidation Notes: Almond/Marzipan, Hazelnut
    • Malolactic Notes: Butter, Cream
    • Floral: White Flowers, Honeysuckle, Acacia
    • Herbal/Green: Green Olive, Thyme, Pine
    • Spice: Cinnamon, Musk
    • Other: Beeswax, Honey, Parsnip, Root Beer
    • Earth: Moderate to High Minerality, Granitic/Stony
    • Oak: Neutral Casks or Low to Moderate Use of New French Oak, Vanilla Pod, Toast, Smoke, Baking Spices

Structure: Dry, Moderate Plus to Full Body, Diminished Acidity, Elevated Alcohol, Phenolic Bitterness

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