Discovering the Roussanne Grape Variety

Do you love white wines that combine finesse and character ? Then, welcome to the world of Roussanne ! Not well known to the general public, this grape variety captivates lovers of great white wines with its ability to produce cuvées with subtle aromas, both fresh and balanced.

Curious to learn more? Let's travel together and discover its history, unique characteristics, the regions where it is planted, and especially, with which dishes it pairs wonderfully! Get ready to find your next favorite bottle...

History and Origins of Roussanne

Although it is difficult to precisely trace the origins of Roussanne, everything seems to indicate that it originated in the Mediterranean basin, a region where the Greeks and then the Romans significantly developed viticulture since Antiquity.Thus, although the grape variety is not mentioned in writing, many historians assume that our variety was already planted in the Rhône Valley more than 2 000 years ago.

During the Middle Ages, monks facilitated the intense development of the wine sector in France and Europe. Thus, the Cistercians, a monastic order very active in viticulture, were particularly present. They most likely cultivated Roussanne in small quantities within the Rhône Valley as well as in other more southern regions.

From then on, Roussanne was probably planted alongside other grape varieties like Marsanne, as these two varieties, having complementary characteristics, were and still are used together to produce complex and beautifully balanced white wines.

Then comes the Renaissance, a time when wine is celebrated! The nobles and royal courts of the time eagerly seek out the best bottles. Roussanne, with its unique aromatic profile, begins to make a name for itself. It is also during this period that French viticulture starts to gain international renown.

With industrialization and the advent of mass viticulture in the 19th and 20th centuries, Roussanne experiences ups and downs. Its susceptibility to diseases like powdery mildew and gray rot, combined with its low yield, leads many winemakers to abandon it. It is a time when efficiency takes precedence over quality, and Roussanne, too capricious, does not fit the mold.

Fortunately, the story doesn't end there ! Starting from the 1980s, Roussanne began to receive increased attention, especially outside the Rhône Valley. Indeed, winemakers from other French and international wine regions, such as Provence, Languedoc-Roussillon , and even California , also began experimenting with cultivating Roussanne.

Today, Roussanne remains a relatively sparsely planted grape variety despite its many advantages. Nevertheless, in recent decades, we have witnessed a rapid growth in its plantations. Thus, while there were only about a hundred hectares of the variety in 1998, nearly 2 000 hectares are now planted in France. Moreover, the grape variety is now well-known among white wine enthusiasts for its ability to produce elegant and complex wines.

Roussanne Plantations

Where is the Roussanne grape variety cultivated?

Roussanne thrives primarily in the Rhône Valley, where it enhances prestigious appellations such as Saint-Joseph, Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. In this region, it often forms a very interesting duo with the Marsanne (another white grape variety), resulting in cuvées that are both refined and exceptionally aromatic.

In Savoie, Roussanne changes its name to Bergeron, notably within the renowned Chignin-Bergeron appellation. On these high-altitude rocky soils, it reveals a very particular elegance.

In Isère, it also reveals its unique character under the name Fromenteau. Further south, in Languedoc-Roussillon and in Provence, Roussanne also thrives fully, benefiting from clay-limestone soils and the Mediterranean mildness to give birth to generous and rich wines.

But this grape variety does not stop at the French wine landscape ! Although present in small proportions, it has indeed also conquered many vineyards internationally. Roussanne has thus successfully projected itself in Switzerland, in Italy, in California and even in Australia.

Rhône Valley: the birthplace of Roussanne

Characteristics of wines made from Roussanne

Roussanne is distinguished by its cylindrical clusters and small fleshy berries, turning a golden color at maturity, sometimes speckled with russet spots, which gives it its name. This late-ripening grape requires a lot of attention: it needs sun and poor soils but is sensitive to drought.

Fragile but precious, Roussanne yields low and irregular harvests, making it a grape variety primarily sought after for high-end cuvées. Its fine aromas, roundness, and natural freshness make it an ideal choice for dry white wines and sparkling wines.

Dry white wines based on Roussanne stand out with their bright golden color. On the palate, they reveal subtle floral aromas like honeysuckle and hawthorn, accompanied by seductive fruity notes evoking apricot, pear, and ripe apple, sometimes enhanced with a hint of honey . As they age, the wines often gain complexity, then unveiling intense notes of dried fruitsand a full texture , perfectly balanced between freshness and roundness. And yes, Roussanne is a grape variety that allows the production of fine age-worthy wines !

Finally, although better known for still white wines, Roussanne can also be used in the production of sparkling wines .Its elegant aromatic profile, floral notes, and acidic qualities indeed make it an interesting grape variety for this style of wine.