Marsanne (France)
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 Flavours
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 |
As Marsanne ages, it can develop a nutty character and a honeyed sweetness. Hints of spices can also be present. Marsanne wines can develop a silky, exotic, oily texture. Beeswax or lanolin aromas are sometimes noted.
 Almonds |
 Dried Fruit |
 Beeswax |
 Spices |
Marsanne Profile
Marsanne wines are typically full-bodied with a rich texture and moderate acidity. They can be enjoyed young, but will develop more complex flavors and aromas with time.
| SUGAR: | Dry 3g/l |
| BODY: | Medium - Full |
| FRUIT: | Medium - Pluss |
| ACIDITY: | Medium - Low |
| ALCOHOL: | 13.5-14.5% ABV |
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Serving temperature: 10-12°C (50-54°F) |
Marsanne Food Pairing
Marsanne is very food friendly.
It pairs well with Rich Seafood, Creamy Sauces, Chicken, Asian Cuisine, and Spicy Flavors.
 Fish |
 Seafood |
 Shrimps |
 Lobster |
 Pasta |
 Rice |
 Chicken |
 Chili |
 Pork |
 Goose |
 Duck |
 Cheese |
Excellent Pairing
Clams. Mussels. Shrimps. Crab. Lobster.
Rich Seafood. Fish Stew. Paella.
Creamy Pasta. Creamy Sauces.
Poultry. Fowl. Chicken. Turkey. Pork. Veal.
French. Asian. Thai. Chinese Dishes.
Sesame. Almonds. Spicy flavors.
Cheese
Stinky Cheese. Epoisses. Taleggio. Munster.
The Ideal Glass for Marsanne
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The Chardonnay Glass was designed for enjoying full-bodied white wines. They have a wider bowl and a tapered top to enhance the buttery and oaky notes found in aged wines. The wide bowl steers the wine to the sensitive parts of the tongue, ensuring that the acidity creates a harmonious balance with the sweet aromas of the wine. The wide bowl allows the full bouquet of aromas to develop. It also reduces the risk for over-concentrated aromas. |
Marsanne Cheese Pairing
Brie or Camembert
These creamy, rich cheeses complement the full, round mouthfeel of a full-bodied Marsanne. The buttery flavors in both the wine and the cheese enhance each other beautifully.
Gruyère and Comté
The nutty, slightly sweet flavors of these cheeses pair well with the complex fruit and oak characteristics of a full-bodied white wine. The firm cheese texture adds a pleasant contrast to the richness of the wine.
Munster And Époisses
A rich and pungent washed-rind cheese provides a bold contrast to the refinement of a full-bodied Marsanne.
Aged Gouda
Aged Gouda, with its caramel and butterscotch notes, matches the depth and complexity of a full-bodied Marsanne. The wine’s acidity helps balance the cheese’s rich flavors.Havarti
The creamy and mild flavor of Havarti pairs well with the rich and buttery texture of a full-bodied Marsanne, making for a delightful and balanced pairing.
Aged Cheeses
The crystalline texture and savory, nutty flavor of aged chesses will complement the undertones of a full-bodied Marsanne.
If You Like Marsanne
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Marsanne and Roussanne
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.
Côtes du Rhône North
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.
Red Wine Appelations
| 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 |
White Wine Appelations
| 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 |
Sparkling Applications
| Grapes | |
|---|---|
| Saint-Péray AOC | Marsanne and Roussanne |