Marsanne is one of the white wine grape varietals that comes from the Rhône Valley, which is known better for the role it plays in celebrated white wines of Hermitage. These grapes are also grown in Switzerland and Savoie, where they go by the name of Ermitage. Marsanne wine has also been adopted warmly as one of the specialist curios in Australia along with the United States, more notably in Washington and California.

Marsanne wine typically possesses good structure and weight yet is often lacking when it comes to the depth of flavor and perfume. This is why the long-standing Rhône Valley tradition makes sense as to why this variety is often blended with Roussanne which is a cousin that is more aromatic, along with a pairing that is more international in the Viogniers.

When combined Roussanne and Marsanne form a core of many white wines from Saint-Joseph and Crozes-Hermitage along with the sparkling white wines of Saint-Péray. Both of these grapes make up the primary ingredients found in the white Côtes du Rhône wines, typically alongside Viognier and Grenache Blanc.

This grape variety derived its name from the commune close to Montélimar, which is located in the region of Drôme in the northern part of Rhône. It is believed that this is most likely the birthplace of this grape. DNA research has also suggested that this grape has an offspring-parent relationship with the Roussanne grape.

In hotter climates, the Marsanne grapes struggle when it comes to developing a sufficient amount of acidity in order to prevent the weight from dulling the flavors. Yet in the cooler climates, these grapes often produce an age-worthy and complex wine. While they are still young the Marsanne wines have a straw-like color, along with fleeting green—golden glints.

These wine on the nose represent a slight earthy minerality, which is lifted by subtle notes of melon and honeysuckle. Their vines are productive and vigorous, which why they are better suited to the stony and poor soils.

Even though the dry styles are more of commonality when it comes to Marsanne, a few of their finest example, include the sweet varieties which are produced from the dried grapes. The more famous example is the Chapoutier’s Hermitage Vin de Paille, yet many other Ermitage Fletri wines of excellent-quality are produced in the Swiss Valais every year.

Marsanne is found most famously in varietal forms outside of France. This grape was first introduced into Australia in the 1860s and was later planted in South Australia and the state of Victora. It was the Tahbik winery who was one of the first that grew Marsanne located in the Nagambie Lakes district, which is now home to some of the oldest producing Marsanne vines across the globe. These were first planted in 1927. The Old-vine Marsanne in this region has the abilities to age for as long as 15 years where it develops into deep amber color, along with orange-marmalade and nutty flavors.

Marsanne also goes by the names of Ermitage Blanc, Marsana, Ermitage, Hermitage, and Grosse Roussette. Food matches with this type of wine include pan-fried fish, salmon, baked eggplant and creamy dishes.