Marsanne is the most popular white grape in the Northern Rhône region.
Wines from the Rhône Valley are known for their distinct and appealing flavor and aroma profiles.
Marsanne typically exhibits flavors of stone fruits like apricot, peach, and nectarine. You may also find notes of citrus fruits (lemon and orange) and honeydew melon.
Aromas of white flowers, such as jasmine, are common. A distinct mineral note, often described as wet stone or flint, is characteristic.
![]() Peach |
![]() Apricot |
![]() Nectarine |
![]() Orange |
![]() Lemon |
![]() Honeydew |
![]() Flowers |
![]() Minerals |
Marsanne and Roussanne are the only white grapes allowed in the northern Rhône appellations of Crozes-Hermitage AOC, Hermitage AOC and Saint-Joseph AOC.
Marsanne is often blended with Roussanne to add depth and textures to the wine.
Blending the grapes produces rich, deep colored wines with flavors of Pears, Peaches, Melon, Spice, Flowers, and even Roasted Nuts.
Oak aged Marsanne and Roussanne wines are both rich, full bodied and powerful.
Marsanne is also vinified sweet. The Straw Wine technique is often used. Drying the grapes on straw mats in the sun, like raisins, to concentrate the sugar and the juice.
In the Côtes du Rhône North, the main grape is Syrah.
The grapes grow on very steep slopes, and are manually picked in hillside trolleys, wich adds to the price.
Black Grapes![]() |
White Grapes![]() |
Soil![]()
Clay. Shale. |
Climate![]()
Hilly. Steep Slopes. |
Appelation | Grapes |
---|---|
Côte-Rôtie AOC | Syrah and max 20% Viognier |
Saint-Joseph AOC | Syrah and max 10% Marsanne and Roussanne |
Crozes-Hermitage AOC | Syrah and max 15% Marsanne and Roussanne |
Hermitage AOC | Syrah and max 15% Marsanne and Roussanne |
Cornas AOC | 100% Syrah |
Appelation | Grapes |
---|---|
Condrieu AOC | 100% Viognier |
Château-Grillet AOC | 100% Viognier |
Saint-Joseph AOC | Marsanne and Roussanne |
Crozes-Hermitage AOC | Marsanne and Roussanne |
Hermitage AOC | Marsanne and Roussanne |
Saint-Péray AOC | Marsanne and Roussanne |
Appelation | Grapes |
---|---|
Clairette de Die AOC | Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains |
Saint-Péray AOC | Marsanne and Roussanne |
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