Marselan

This lesser-known French grape variety has the potential to be Chinese wine's international calling card

Professor Paul Truel produced Marselan 60 years ago as a hybrid between Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache. The original goal was to create a Languedoc variety with the elegance of Cabernet and the heat resistance of Grenache.

The grape was named after the local town of Marseillan, which is located on the Mediterranean coast.

Its domain has now expanded well beyond Southern France to include several wine regions across the world, including Argentina, Brazil, Spain, and the United States. Outside of France, though, Marselan is most widely cultivated in China.

Taste: Smooth and soft with aromas of bramble fruits, cassis and ripe cherry that can be accompanied by spicy notes of cinnamon and clove. On the palate, flavors of raspberry, blackberry, black cherry, blueberry and plum are followed by notes of toast and vanilla if the wine is fermented, or aged in oak.

Body: Medium

Tannin: Medium (and soft)

Acidity: Medium

Age: Most should be enjoyed within a few years of release. There is some evidence to suggest that Marselan ages well, but it is still too early to say.