Image Credit: Vacqueras AOC

Nestled in the high sloped vineyards of the Rhône Valley lies a grape variety as intriguing as its name suggests - Roussanne. This enigmatic grape, with its roots tracing back to the sun- soaked terroirs of southern France, has captivated winemakers and enthusiasts alike with its rich history and complex character. As we embark on a journey through the world of Roussanne, we unravel the mysteries surrounding its origins, familial connections, and the meticulous craftsmanship required to create the finest quality wines. Join me as we delve into the essence of Roussanne, exploring its unique attributes, preferred climates, and its role in shaping the landscape of the wine world.

Pronunciation

The way to pronounce Roussanne is “RHUE-SANNE”.

It's Origin

It is believed to be native to the Rhône Valley. 

Family Ties

DNA testing finally revealed the identity of Viognier, there are a lot of similarities between the two varieties. Both have that rich, often oily texture and spiced, apricot notes to the wine. 

Climate and Soils

Roussanne grows best on poor clay-limestone, well-drained soils, that are rather stony and well exposed. Other soils it works its magic are, sandy clay soils, well supplied with water. 

It has poor wind resistance and therefore growing sites needs to be chosen carefully. That is why Marsanne is the more popular variety of the two. It needs the benefits of warm temperatures during the growing season, as it adores long hours of sunlight to achieve full ripeness. That is why it is mostly found in warm Mediterranean or Continental climates. In cooler climates the difficulty of this variety will start to show adding up to its reputation, as it struggles to ripen. 

• France - Rhône Valley, Languedoc-Roussillon, Savoie, Bugey, Provence - 73%
• USA – 14%
• Australia – 8%
• South Africa – 3%
• Greece – 1%
• Israel – 1%
• Other (Italy) – 0.47%
• Switzerland – 0.25%

Vine Manual: How does Roussanne Grow?

Roussanne is more difficult to grow than its relative Marsanne due to is susceptibility to all kinds of diseases. This variety get an amazing reddish gold skin colour when fully ripe.

• Late budding
• Mid-Late ripening
• Prone to coulure
• Variable yielding, due to its susceptibility to coulure, otherwise it is a moderate yielding variety.
• Vigorous variety, with long shoots, and therefore needs to be trained and trimmed carefully.
• Very susceptible to powdery and downy mildew.
• Susceptible to botrytis bunch rot.
• Susceptible to mites. 
• Small to medium-sized bunches, with small, round berries. 

It’s all in the Name Baby.

Bergeron (Savoie), Fromental, Montecarlo Bianco (Italy)

Tickle Your Taste Buds: Roussanne Taste Profile

Generally, a single variety wine made from Roussanne has a medium lemon colour. Shows medium acidity, high alcohol levels (14% is normal), medium body with a rich, oily texture and a pronounced intensity of flavours. Roussanne is known to produce powerful yet elegant wines, more elegant in style than Marsanne, which gives them the capacity to age quite considerably. Opening a bottle of Roussanne up to 5-8 years and it still has all its aromatics showing. 

Aromas and Flavours

It shows a profile of pear, apricots, grass, white blossom, hazelnuts, spice, herbal, green tea. With age when a wine shows floral notes in its youth it will show expressive aromas of honeysuckle, quince, apricots, acacia, brioche, and white peach. 

Roussanne’s perfect blending partner.

Roussanne is normally blended with other varieties, especially Marsanne, Clairette and Grenache Blanc. In the winery it is a very flexible variety to work with. It can create interesting, age worthy wines, when blended with its ‘besties’. Also, single varietal wines are made. 

Did you Know?

• That Roussanne is used in the famous but rare Hermitage Vin de Paille wines? 
• Roussanne is a key blending variety in the wine wines of the Rhône Valley. 
• That Roussanne gets its name from its skin-colour? The French word “roux” means "russet”, or reddish brown. 
• That they make sparkling wine from Roussanne in the Northern Rhône Valley, Saint-Pèray?

History Fact

Up until quite recently, wines labelled as Roussanne were in fact drinking Viognier. This happened up until 1998. This was never intentionally the case, but there was a lot of confusion in the vineyards of to which variety there was actually planted.

In the world of viticulture, Roussanne emerges as a grape of profound complexity and enduring allure. From its humble beginnings in the sun-drenched vineyards of the Rhône Valley to its global influence in regions as diverse as the United States, Australia, and beyond, Roussanne continues to leave an indelible mark on the world of wine. Through my exploration, we see its familial ties to Viognier, delved into its preferred climates and soils, and unravelled the intricacies of its cultivation. We've savoured its tantalizing taste profile, celebrated its perfect blending partnerships, and uncovered fascinating historical tidbits. Cheers to Roussanne, a true embodiment of the artistry and passion that defines winemaking at its finest.

Just a quick tip oaked versions of Roussanne have something similar to an oaky Chardonnay, so when you feel up to trying something else than your regular Chardonnay, go for a Roussanne. 

Resources

WSET Diploma Study Syllabus 2022 edition - Accessed on March 23, 2024

Wine Scholar Guild – French Wine Scholar Study Manual 2023 edition - Accessed on March 23, 2024

Wine Searcher, “Roussanne Wine” - Accessed on March 23, 2024

Vin de France, “Roussanne de France”, - Accessed on March 23, 2024

AOC Vacqueras, “Roussanne”, - Accessed on March 23, 2024

Cellar Tours, “Roussanne’s Collectability Credentials”, Last Updated February 25, 2024
– Accessed on March 23, 2024