Wine of the Week

Mar 14, 2011
2009 Val de Salis Marselan

IGP Pays d’Oc

This week’s Wine of the Week is something a little bit different. This wine features the grape Marselan, which I imagine is probably a grape most people haven’t had the chance to taste before. Marselan is a fairly recent cross between two grapes that I know almost all of you are very familiar with: Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache. It was approved for use in Vin de Pays wines in 1990. There are actually not too many wineries out there making a 100% Marselan – Val de Salis, which is located between Corbières and Minervois, is one of the few.

So what does a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache taste like? Well, the wine has aromas and flavors that remind me a bit of both of its parents – cassis notes from Cabernet Sauvignon and black cherries from Grenache. The tannins of the wine remind me more of Grenache but there is a nice backbone of acidity that I’d wager Marselan got from its Cabernet Sauvignon heritage.

All in all, this is a very approachable and easy-drinking wine with hints of fruit and earth and a pretty floral component. I think this would be a terrific wine to serve at a party – you can see if you have any friends who have ever tried Marselan before! It would also be great with lighter grilled meats like pork chops or hamburgers and it would also be a good choice for grilled vegetables. But don’t just take my word for it – try a bottle for yourself and see what you enjoy it with this week! Cheers!

For more information on this wine, please check out its page in our Buying Guide.