the secret that is marsanne

Let’s just put it out there - the reception for our recently released Marsanne “Margaret’s Mandate” is complicated. Our peers laud this new addition to our portfolio – our loyal mailing list customers are a bit suspect and they have told us so. My own family is dragging their feet even though the wine is named after me. (SNAP!) Understandable, since founding our winery in 2002 we’ve built a reputation in the industry on our red Rhone varietals and pinot noir. Rest assured, this new Rhone white wine is authentic to our portfolio and here’s why.

The three best white Rhone varietals are Viognier, Roussanne, and Marsanne—Marsanne is easily the least well-known but, in our opinion, the most special. Marsanne is a grape for those who love structure. It has enough acid to keep it firm, the weight to satisfy our desire for substance, and a mineral texture to keep it interesting. Like every wine in our portfolio, this is a food wine.

Marsanne in the United States is rare. This is a very special varietal. In California, Marsanne is almost unheard of with just 69 planted acres compared to 2200 Viognier and 180 for Roussanne. Marsanne has been grown since the late 1860’s in the Rhone region of France and has been called “the red wine drinker’s white wine” due to its inherent richness and weight on the palate.  Heritage aside, Marsanne remains under the radar. It's like a secret, privy only to wine enthusiasts. It is also very delicious – which is how I describe it.  We hope you will try it and let us know what you think!

-- By Margaret