Marsanne
Marsanne is a white grape variety (French: [maʁsan]) originating in the Northern Rhône region of France. It is best known for its role in the appellations of Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, and Saint-Joseph, and is also grown in Switzerland, Spain, Australia, and other New World regions. Marsanne produces full-bodied, aromatic wines that can age to reveal rich, nutty and honeyed characteristics.[1]
Background
Marsanne is believed to have originated in the village of Marsanne, near Montélimar in the Drôme département of the Rhône Valley. It has been documented in the Northern Rhône for centuries and remains closely associated with that region’s white wines.[2]
The grape has spread beyond its traditional home, particularly to Switzerland (notably in Valais, where it is known as Ermitage) and to Australia, where some of the world’s oldest plantings can be found in Victoria. Its cultivation has also extended to parts of Spain, California, and South Africa.[3]
Characteristics
Marsanne is a moderately vigorous vine with a preference for warm, dry climates. It tends to ripen relatively early and is valued for its adaptability to poor, stony soils, particularly granite and schist slopes of the Rhône.[4]
The wines are typically full-bodied with moderate acidity and pronounced alcohol potential. In youth, Marsanne often displays aromas of pear, melon, and honeysuckle. With age, the wines can develop notes of almond, hazelnut, beeswax, and honey, sometimes accompanied by a deep golden hue. However, the grape can be prone to oxidation if not handled carefully during vinification.[5]
Use in Winemaking
In the Northern Rhône, Marsanne is often blended with Roussanne, which provides aromatic lift and freshness to complement Marsanne’s weight and structure.[6] It forms the backbone of many white wines from Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage, and is permitted in small proportions in some red Rhône appellations.
Outside France, varietal Marsanne has become increasingly popular, particularly in Australia’s Victoria region, where historic old vines are celebrated for producing complex, long-lived wines. In Switzerland, under the name Ermitage, it is typically made into rich, dry whites, though some sweet and fortified styles also exist.
See also
References
- ↑ Robinson, Harding & Vouillamoz, Wine Grapes, HarperCollins, 2012 (entry: Marsanne). ISBN 978-0062206367.
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, Oxford University Press, 2015 (entry: Marsanne). ISBN 978-0198705383.
- ↑ Johnson & Robinson, The World Atlas of Wine, 8th ed., Mitchell Beazley, 2019 (Northern Rhône). ISBN 978-1784724030.
- ↑ VIVC, “Marsanne”. https://www.vivc.de
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, 2015 (entry: Marsanne). ISBN 978-0198705383.
- ↑ Inter Rhône, “Marsanne (cépage)”. https://www.vins-rhone.com