A Tour of Wine Grapes: Marsanne

Marsanne 🟡

Marsanne (mar-shon) is a white wine grape from France that has its origins in the Northern Rhône Valley.

The grape's cultivation was first recorded in the 16th century. It was formally documented as a distinct varietal in 1781, establishing its status in Rhône winemaking. During the Middle Ages, local monasteries kept the grape alive using it primarily as a blending component long before it was bottled as a single varietal.

By the 17th and 18th centuries, White Hermitage (made mostly of Marsanne) was globally famous. U.S. wine connoisseur Thomas Jefferson famously declared it "the first white wine in the world without a single exception."

In the late 1860s, Marsanne was exported to Victoria, Australia. Because Europe's vineyards were later devastated by the Phylloxera pest, Australia's now houses the world's oldest living Marsanne vines which were planted in 1927. The grape did not reach California until the 1980s.

While Marsanne often lacks any depth of aroma or flavor, it does tend to be use predominately as a blending variety with its more aromatic Rhône cousin Roussanne, and the more international pairing with Viognier.

Marsanne wine is light in body with low acidity. It generally tends to lack any depth of aroma but can exhibit flavors of honeydew melon, quince, Mandarin Orange, apricot and pear.

Marsanne as a varietal is not particularly age-worthy and should be consumed young (less than 5 years old).

Serve Marsanne cold (45 - 55 F) in a white wine glass with no decanting required.

Behind the Cork™ - Chateau La Nerthe Les Cassagnes Rose

2025 Chateau La Nerthe Les Cassagnes Rosé ($22.99)


The first deed attesting to the existence of Château La Nerthe was signed on November 25, 1590, with its acquisition by the Tulle de Villefranche family. It was then a country house known as the Grange de Beauvenir.

Marquis Jean-Dominique Tulle de Villefranche (1711-1760) completed making it one of the flagship estates of the Rhône Valley in France by launching the castle's construction on the foundations of the medieval cellar. They innovated in the vineyard and the wine cellar, for example, shipping bottled wines starting in 1776.

Produced in Tavel, the heart of the Rhône Valley’s rosé production, this Côtes du Rhône rosé is crafted from 30+ year old vines of Grenache Noir/Blanc/Gris (60%), Cinsault (30%), and Syrah (10%). The grapes are handpicked and directly sorted when arriving in the cellar. Direct pressing took place in a pneumatic press over a 3 hour period. It was then fermented in temperature controlled tanks at low temperature to preserve freshness of the fruit.

This Chateau La Nerthe Les Cassagnes Rosé is a medium salmon in color with delicate aromas of sweet fruit, strawberries and candied cherry. On the palate, this rosé is light-bodied with the delicate flavor of strawberry. The acidity is balanced yet yields a refreshing rosé that has finishes clean and crisp.

Springtime means rosé season is officially in bloom! So, give this Chateau La Nerthe Les Cassagnes Rosé a try. It’s a great wine at a very affordable price. That make it the Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Media Sample Provided by Chateau La Nerthe via Kobrand Wine and Spirits

A Tour of Wine Grapes: Malbec

Malbec 🍷

Malbec's roots trace back to southwestern France, where it has been cultivated for over a thousand years. In the rugged Cahors region, it goes by many names — Côt, Auxerrois, or Pressac — and produces famously dark, tannic wines that the locals call "black wine." Malbec's thick skin is so loaded with anthocyanins (color pigments) that it was historically used as a natural ink and fabric dye in France.

It remains one of the six permitted grapes in Bordeaux blends, adding color and structure to the mix.

While Cahors championed Malbec, the grape remained a minor player in Bordeaux and never gained broader recognition across France. The brutal frost of 1956 wiped out much of the Cahors vineyards due to the grape's vulnerability to the cold, damp European climate. It was fading into obscurity — until Argentina changed everything.

In 1853, a French agricultural engineer named Michel Pouget took Malbec cuttings to Mendoza, Argentina. It was there, that Malbec found its footing. The intense sun, cool nights, low humidity, and mineral-rich soils transformed the grape entirely. What had been a workhorse blending variety in France became a world-class, full-bodied varietal wine in South America.

Today, Argentina is the major producer of Malbec accounting for nearly 75% of the world’s supply. France is the other major producer. The U.S. produces only a small amount.

Malbec’s aromas include dark fruits such as plum, blackberry and black cherry along with floral scents. Oak aging imparts aromas of dark chocolate, vanilla, tobacco leaf, mocha and leather. On the palate, Malbec is a full-bodied wine with, you guessed it, black fruit flavors of blackberry along with plum and blueberry. Flavors derived from oak aging include cocoa and coffee. The finish of a Malbec is medium in length.

Malbec wines can be aged for 5-10 years, typically.

Malbec should be decanted for 30 minutes before serving in a red wine glass at 60 - 68 F.

Behind the Cork™ - Montes Cherub Rose Wine

2025 Montes Cherub Rosé ($16.99)

The sun is finally shining, and there’s a hint of spring in the air. The season brings a fresh, vibrant energy that makes the world feel alive again. With warmer breezes, longer days thanks to daylight saving time, and the first flowers beginning to bloom, it’s the perfect moment to welcome a bright new season.

Springtime means rosé season is officially in bloom. Who doesn’t want a fresh, fruity, and crisp glass of rosé while soaking in the sun on a patio? Pink wine is truly springtime in a glass. It is also a perfect complement to leisurely brunch celebrations and holidays like Mother’s Day.

Pacific-cooled Syrah (85%) and Grenache (15%) from Montes’ coastal Marchigüe estate in the Colchagua Valley (Chile) come together in this refreshing rosé.

Montes Cherub is a beautiful medium salmon color with delicate aromas of strawberry and candied cherry. On the palate, this light-bodied rosé has really nice red fruit flavors of raspberry and cherry. The acidity is just right, resulting in a light, refreshing and easy to drink wine. Perfect for Springtime.

Yet another great wine that’s affordably priced. A perfect fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Media Sample Provided by Montes Winery via Kobrand Wine and Spirits

A Tour of Wine Grapes: Gruner Veltliner

Gruner Veltliner

Grüner Veltliner (grew-ner felt-lee-ner) is a white wine grape that is prodomanatly grown in Austria, accounting for more than a third of the country’s total vineyard area with Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic being the other significant growers.

Often just referred to as “Grüner,” this wine is typically low in body, tannin and sweetness but high in acidity. But, being a very versatile grape, it can also produce wines that are rich and full-bodied.

Key flavors of wines produced from Grüner Veltliner grapes includes lime, lemon and grapefruit. But, most famously, it has spicy, herbal notes of white pepper, radish and lentils. Bet you haven’t had a wine with notes of lentil before!

Grüner Veltliner is one of the few white wines that can be incredibly age-worthy, though its longevity depends heavily on the style. Everyday versions are meant for early consumption while high-quality productions can age for 10 to 30 years or more!

Grüner Veltliner wines should be served cold (45 to 55 F) in a white wine glass. No decanting required.