This white grape variety comes from France. The name is derived from the rust-red (roux) coloured berries. Synonyms are Barbin, Bergeron, Courtoisie, Fromental, Fromental Jaune, Fromenteal, Fromenteau, Greffon, Greffou, Martin Cot, Martin Rot, Petite Roussette, Picotin Blanc, Plant de Seyssel, Rabellot, Rabelot, Ramoulette, Rebellot, Remoulette, Rosana, Roussane, Roussanne Blanc, Roussette, Rusan, Rusan Belyi and Rusan Blan.Despite seemingly suggestive synonyms or morphological similarities, it must not be confused with the varieties Altesse, Courbu Blanc (Courtoisie), Gringet, Marsanne, Rosé du Var (Roussanne du Var) or Roussette d'Ayze. According to DNA analyses, there is a parent-offspring relationship with the Marsanne variety. However, the exact parentage is unknown.
The early-maturing vine is susceptible to fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and botrytis. It produces acidic white wines with herbal aroma and ageing potential. The variety was first mentioned in 1781 in a text about white wine varieties in Hermitage. It is mainly grown in the Rhône, where it is permitted in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage, Saint-Joseph and Saint-Péray. It is also present in Languedoc-Roussillon and in Savoie in the Chignin area (under Bergeron). It is often blended with Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc (Garnacha Blanca), Marsanne and Vermentino. In France, it occupies a total of 1,831 hectares with a strong upward trend (760 hectares in 2000). Other populations in Europe are in Italy (12 ha) and in Scxhweiz (3 ha). Overseas, it is present in Australia (23 ha), Chile (25 ha), Canada (8 ha), New Zealand (0.2 ha), South Africa (76 ha), USA (156 ha) and Uruguay (2 ha). In 2016, a total of 2,137 hectares of vineyards were designated (Kym Anderson).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Images: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
