The white grape variety originates from France. It is presumably named after the commune of the same name in the Drôme département. Synonyms are Avilleran, Avilleron, Ermitage, Ermitage Blanc, Ermitazh, Hermitage, Grosse Roussette, Johannisberg, Malvasia Bianca di Lucania, Marsan, Marsanne Belyi, Marsanne Blanche, Marsanne Drome, Marzanne, Metternich, Rousseau, Roussette Grosse, Roussette Saint-Péray, White Hermitage and Zrmitazh.
The variety was first mentioned in 1781 in a text on the white wine varieties of the Hermitage region.
The parentage is unknown. It is possibly genetically related to the red variety Roussanne.
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Dr. Christa Hanten
Fachjournalistin, Lektorin und Verkosterin, Wien