Tag Archive for: late-ripening

Figure 1. Marsanne fruit, Spirit Canyon Vineyards Ukiah, CA

Marsanne

Marsanne is a white wine grape cultivar native to the Rhône Valley region of France where it is found growing with other white wine grapes including Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Picpoul blanc, Clairette, Picardin and Muscat blanc. In California, it is productive, vigorous and well suited to warm regions (especially Winkler Region III), though it performed poorly in Parlier, a hot region (Winkler Region V). It is not widely grown in the United States. Under the best growing conditions and with skilled wine making, it can be made into long lived and interesting wines, especially when blended with other members of the Rhône wine grape family. It is susceptible to powdery mildew and bunch rot and requires careful attention in the vineyard to show its greatest potential in the wine bottle.