Viticultural Information
Roussanne
Description
Species: Vitis vinifera Roussanne is from the Rhône Valley region ofFrance. Roussanne is thought to have originated in the middle Rhône and Isere valleys. In the mid-twentieth century, as Roussanne vineyards became infected with fanleaf virus, the higher-yielding Marsanne was frequently replanted. Cleaner budwood sources resulted in the planting of Roussanne to newer areas in the Cotes du Rhône (south), where it is frequently blended with other varieties for white wine. It is also planted in Lucca, Italy, and Australia. Roussanne is moderate in growth. Canes are slender and somewhat pendant. Clusters are small. In California, Roussanne is considered an early variety in budbreak and ripening. Roussanne breaks bud and ripens about a week after Chardonnay and Viognier, making it an early to midseason variety. Roussanne In France, Roussanne is usually blended with Marsanne and vinified as either a still or sparkling wine. The flavor descriptors include floral, honey, apricot, and sometimes mineral, steel, or lean, which are devoid of fruit or yeast flavors. Roussanne has good acidity, good tannic structure, and a strong floral component when carefully vinified. Wines are generally fermented in stainless steel tanks, and are often bottled directly without barrel contact.
People
Links
Foundation Plant Services at UC Davis is the source of Foundation grapevine material for the nursery industry, and the staff can provide information about possible sources for obtaining this stock. The National Grape Registry (NGR) contains information about varieties of wine, juice, and table grapes, raisins, and grape rootstocks available in the United States. Growers, nurseries, winemakers and researchers can find background information and source contacts for those grape varieties in this single convenient location.
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