In just 30 years, Marselan has progressed from commercial introduction to holding a minor role in blends to receiving awards in major international competitions and being touted as the future star variety of China. It is a cross of Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache, and its disease resistance fits with today's need for greater sustainability.
Vines resistant to diseases and pests became a topic for study in the middle of the 19th century, when devastating diseases were introduced into Europe from North America. American vines (Vitis rupestris, V. lincecumi, V. berlandieri, and others) and European V. vinifera vines were crossed to breed new hybrids that were resistant to disease. Research continued, and the hybrids were so successful that by 1958, they made up 30% of French vineyards. Fearing that this trend would increase and change the character of the wines, planting hybrid grape varieties in AOC areas was banned beginning in 1951. In 1956, France’s Institute National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA) launched a program to create varieties by crossing V. vinifera vines together.
Marselan was developed in 1961 by Paul Truel at the INRA’s Domaine de Vassal, near Marseillan in the Hérault. After micro-vinifications identified its disease resistance, yield, and flavor, it was registered in 1991, with ENTAV-INRA holding the patent for clone 980. Marselan vines everywhere are currently planted with 980. After the patent’s expiry in 2010/2011, there was an explosion of Marselan plantings. A new, second clone called VCR498 is being developed today by the Italian Vivai Cooperativi Rauscedo to add diversity.
In France, the area planted with Marselan has almost doubled in the past decade. In 2018/2019, 6,199 hectares were recorded, mainly in the southwest, making it
Thank you for the in depth look at such an interesting variety
Excellent read!