Marsanne is, for me, the hardest white grape variety to describe. Here’s my best shot: the great wines made from it are powerful, bold, saline, creamy, citrusy, minerally, and have a pure fresh aroma that always reminds me of crisp white cotton sheets. IMHO, all of the great ones come (so far) from the Rhône Valley of France. Here are two absolutely fantastic ones. If you like rich California Chardonnay, I promise you’ll love: DOMAINE JEAN-CLAUDE MARSANNE Saint-Joseph Blanc 2021 (Saint-Joseph, Rhône Valley, FR) $59 and DOMAINE CHRISTELLE BETTON “Circe” Crozes-Hermitage Blanc 2021 (Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône Valley, FR) $50.
SUNNING WHITES
