Rousanne

Roussanne is a white wine grape grown originally in the Rhone wine region in France, where it is often blended with Marsanne. It is the only other white variety, besides Marsanne.Roussanne .needs a sunny, dry climate to ripen fruit.The Roussanne ripens late and is characterized by its irregular yields that can be decreased further due to poor wind resistance. The Wine is also susceptible to powdery mildew and rot which makes it a difficult vine to cultivate. In recent years, the development of better clones have alleviate some of these difficulties.The grape prefers a long growing season but should be harvested before the potential alcohol reaches 14%% which would result in the finished wine being out of balance. If picked too soon, the grape can suffer from high acidity.During wine making, Roussanne is prone to oxidation without care taken by the winemaker. The wine can benefit from a controlled use of oak. In blends, Roussanne adds aromatics, elegance and acidity with the potential to age and further develop in the bottle.Roussanne is moderate in growth. Canes are slender and somewhat pendant. Clusters are small.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.