Indigenous to the Rhone Valley, Roussanne is capable of producing some of the richest and fullest bodied white wines. Its name is derived from Roux (French for russet) due to the copper tinge it develops on the vine. Its nose displays evocative notes of ripe pears, apricots, honey, and tea leaf, which when combined with its marked acidity make it an easily distinguishable varietal. Becoming increasingly fashionable in the Rhone where it is fleshed out with its field buddy Marsanne, it forms the white wines of St. Joseph, Hermitage, Crozes Hermitage and St. Peray. The latter of which makes a sparkling wines from its grapes. It is also one of four white grapes permitted in the southern Rhone village of Chateauneuf-du-Pape adding additional aromatic complexity to the key red grapes Grenache Syrah and Mouvedre. Chateau de Beaucastel are a great example of a Rhone producer utilizing the grape in varietal form. Thanks to the California's dedicated Rhone Rangers, the grape is spreading across more of the new World with pioneering Central Coast wineries such as Tablas Creek and Alban Vineyards. While area under vines in California is still small (177 acres as of 2005) it is also taking off in parts of Sonoma as well as high elevation sites in the Sierra Foothills, and parts of Washington State.
The Rhone is one of France’s most important wine regions. Divided into two separate zones, the north is probably the most prestigious. It is home to the appellations of Condrieu, Côte Rôtie, St. Joseph, Hermitage, and Crozes-Hermitage. Syrah is king with the exception of the Condrieu (100% Viognier) and Hermitage, which also makes big whites from Marsanne and Roussanne. The South is a much larger region where most Cotes du Rhone and Cotes du Rhone Village come from. In the villages of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, and Rasteau, Syrah is blended in varying proportions with Grenache, Mourvedre, Cinsaut, and a host of obscure varieties such as Muscardin, Vaccarese, Terret and Counoise, to produce full-bodied reds brimming with energy.
