Marsanne

Also known as: Grosse Roussette (Savoie), Ermitage Blanc (Switzerland)

Marsanne is the substantial partner to Roussanne – fuller-bodied, less aromatic, yet with considerable ageing potential. What smells of apricot and beeswax in its youth develops over the years into nutty, honeyed textures. In the northern Rhône Valley, particularly in Hermitage and Saint-Joseph, the variety shows its strength: wines with weight that don’t charm through fruit, but through density and minerality.

Most of our Marsanne wines come from the Rhône, where winemakers such as Du Coulet, Maison Stephan and Les Bruyères often vinify the variety in blends with Roussanne or Viognier. Château de Pibarnon in Provence uses Marsanne for additional structure in their white wines, whilst The Nin Ortiz Family in Priorat experiments with the variety.