2009 Roussanne Grapes

When deciding at what stage to harvest the Roussanne, the goal is to match the sugar content, acidity and phenolic maturity of the grapes. 

Domaine Sainte Rose harvested the Roussanne on the 3rd September with a subsequent picking on the 10th.  The grapes registered 13 and 13.7 Baumé respectively with acidity content between 3.2 - 3.5 grams/litre H2S04.  The quality and health of the fruit was very good for this relatively young vigorous variety. 

Harvesting commenced late in the evening and continued through the night to ensure the grapes were picked at a cool temperature thus ensuring that the fermentation process did not begin until the desired moment.  Fermentation occurred once the grapes were safely in a temperature controlled environment.

Having started fermentation in stainless steel tanks, some of the Roussanne will then finish its fermentation in French oak barrels.  It will then age in those barrels for 10-12 months to create the Barrel Selection Roussanne and La Nuit Blanche.  In previous years this has been an award winning and immensely popular wine.

Some Roussanne will also be blended with crisp, fresh, unoaked Chardonnay to make a very complex and unique white blend call Le Vent du Nord.

The three Roussanne based wines from the 2009 Vintage are therefore:-

Le Vent Du Nord-  A unique blend of Roussanne  and Chardonnay.

The Barrel Selection Roussanne -  Barrel aged Roussanne.

La Nuit Blanche Roussanne- Barrel aged Roussanne.

Roussanne in the spring	Spring	Spring	Bin of Roussanne	The morning!