Roussanne

Roussanne is a white-skinned grape of Vitis vinifera, the European wine grape species, that originated in the northern Rhône valley of France. Its name comes from the French roux, the russet-brown colour the berries take on when fully ripe. In Savoie it is also known as Bergeron, and it carries synonyms such as Roussanne Blanc.

In France it grows across the Rhône valley, from Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage and Saint-Joseph in the north to Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the south, as well as in Languedoc and Savoie. It is registered in several other EU countries, including Italy, Spain and Bulgaria, and has been planted in the New World, notably California, Washington, Texas, Australia, South Africa and Oregon.

In the glass Roussanne is medium to full bodied with aromas of pear, chamomile and honey. Warmer climates give richer, riper wines; cooler sites yield more floral, delicate wines with higher acidity. It oxidises readily during winemaking, so careful handling matters, and top examples can age well for a decade or more.