Marsanne

Marsanne is the most widely grown grape variety in the Northern Rhône, where it’s commonly used in the world-famous Rhône blends. The grapes are small in size and the vines thrive in rocky hillside locations where the climate is fairly dry. Used to produce complex wines with plenty of body and texture, Marsanne is a variety with plenty of character. Both dry and sweet wines can be produced from this grape, and with plenty of ageing potential, these wines often develop complex flavours.

Marsanne Tasting Notes

Pear

Melon

Peach

Nut

Honey

On the nose, Marsanne has a slightly earthy minerality lifted by notes of melon, whilst the palate is driven by flavours of pear and white peach often accompanied by notes of quince. This variety is also perfect for ageing in oak or the bottle, with some of the finest examples being aged for up to 15 years. This can add flavours of roasted nuts, with hints of spice, honey and even orange marmalade.

Marsanne Style

Rich and Complex White Wine

Dry Sweet

Marsanne is used to produce dry wines which are rich and well-structured. It’s a grape which is most commonly blended with other Rhône varieties such as Roussanne and Clairette to add body and richness to the wine. These wines also usually develop a silky and slightly oily texture. Marsanne also has relatively low acidity, and despite this, the variety ages exceptionally well, developing an even creamier quality. Sweet wines can also be made from Marsanne, and most are produced using the Vin de Paille method which involves drying the grapes in the sun on straw mats. This labour-intensive process concentrates the sugars in the fruit, creating deliciously sweet wines with notes of honey.

Wine Regions

Marsanne is thought to have originated in the Northern Rhône, where it is most commonly found today. It is particularly prominent in wines from the Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage and Saint-Joseph AOC’s. It is also grown in smaller quantities in the Southern Rhône. Outside of France, Marsanne is found in Switzerland where it is used mainly to produce sweet wines, as well as the USA and Australia. The grape was first grown in Australia in the 1860’s in Victoria, with some of the oldest Marsanne vines in the world found here. In this region it is not just used in blends, but also used to produce single varietal wines. Plantings of the grape also continue to increase throughout the USA, particularly in Washington State.

Which food goes with Marsanne

When it comes to pairing this wine with food, think rich, creamy foods, or white meats. A pasta dish would be a great match, or even just a roast chicken or turkey works well. If you are a seafood fan, then a nice pan fried trout with a butter sauce is the way to go.