White Rhone blends consist of two or more white grapes from its namesake region. This includes
Viognier, Rousanne, Marsanne and Grenache Blanc. Other white grapes may be included in miniscule amounts, but the above four are the principles. In the
Rhone, Viognier is typically alone in the Northern Rhone and absent in the Southern Rhone, although, in the north, 20% of the variety can be blended into the predominant
Syrah of
Cote Rotie. Marsanne and Roussanne are two peas in pod - usually found together both in and outside of the Rhone region. Blends outside of the Rhone are mostly found in
California and
Australia and can include all of the four primary varieties together.
Notable Facts
The whites blends of the Rhone are usually rich in fruit flavors and aromatics. Three of the primary grapes, Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne are intense on aromatics & texture. The fourth primary grape used in the blend is Grenache Blanc, a fairly neutral grape with crisp acid & high sugars. Blending Grenache Blanc with the above three varieties helps the wine stand up in acid levels and ads a crispness to the texture. Flavors of white Rhone blends include spice, nut, honeysuckle and green apple.
Summing it up
Successful Sites:
Rhone, California, Australia, South Africa
Common Descriptors:
honeysuckle, green apple, peach, nut, spice