Happy #WorldMarselanDay
World Marselan Day is April 27th!
Marselan is a grape cross between Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon that was created in France in 1961 by scientist Paul Tuel, near the town of Marseillan. The idea was to create a variety similar in flavor to Cabernet Sauvignon, that could handle the heat of Languedoc.
Indeed this grape can deal with warmer temperatures and is less susceptible to disease pressure from humidity. This makes it a perfect variety in parts of China, where it is very popular as well as Bordeaux.
In Bordeaux, it was approved as a blending grape for the AOC beginning in 2021. Up to 10% Marselan is now allowed in Bordeaux Superior and Bordeaux AOC wines. They hope that this will help them to combat climate change.
Beyond that you can find small plots planted in Northern California and in Virginia in the United States, as well as Spain, Brazil and Argentina. But the lions share of Marselan vines are grown in China.
In Marselan you will find aromas of clove, cinnamon, bramble fruit, cherry and cassis.
This grape is also high in polyphenols, which are good for you!
The day was created by Jim Boyce of “Grape Wall of China”. The chosen date commemorates Paul Truel’s Birthday, the man who created the grape Marselan.
I won’t tell you it is easy to find bottles of Marselan because it is not. But…if you find one to celebrate with, let us know in the comments!
Robin Renken is a wine writer and Certified Specialist of Wine and WSET 3 Certified. She and her husband Michael travel to wine regions interviewing vineyard owners and winemakers and learning the stories behind the glass.
When not traveling they indulge in cooking and pairing wines with food at home in Las Vegas.
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