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