Roussanne
Roussanne is a white wine grape variety that originated in the northern Rhône Valley. It is known for its reddish-gold skin color and is commonly found in the south of France where it benefits from warm temperatures and long sunlight hours. Roussanne is a key ingredient in the white wine blends of the northern Rhône, notably Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage and Saint-Joseph, and in the sparkling wines of Saint-Péray. In Italy, it is sometimes used to make Montecarlo Bianco, but rarely appears elsewhere in the country. It is also used in small quantities in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. In California, Roussanne is characterized by herbal, tea-like aromas, pears and honey flavors and notable intensity. It is blended with Marsanne for more complexity and structure.