Marsanne

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran. Today we are going to explore that seemingly fashionable white grape Marsanne. Marsanne - what a lovely sounding name for a grape variety. Marsanne is a white grape originally from the Rhone region of France, where it is often blended with another white grape named Rousanne. Although Rousanne is one of the allowable grapes in the production of the regions famed Chateauneuf–du-Pape, Marsanne is not. It is however allowed to be included in red Hermitage wines by up to 15%. Outside of the Rhone Marsanne is often blended with Viognier. Marsanne seems to be gaining in popularity here in the United States and I have had a few of those blended wines made domestically. I find the combination of Marsanne, Rousanne, and Viognier to be quite complimentary, well balanced, and very agreeable with food. Marsanne to me has a unique nutty richness that compliments the perfume of Viognier - for the complexity and drinkability of these wines - I find them a great alternative to Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Take time to search out one or two of these interesting wines containing Marsanne, I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Remember to send your wine questions to Linda at vine to wine dot net and thank you for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.