The red grape variety (INRA 1810-68) is a new cross between Cabernet Sauvignon x Grenache Noir (Garnacha Tinta). The cross was made in 1961 in France by Paul Truel (1924-2014) on behalf of INRA. The variety was first cultivated in Marseillan (department of Hérault, Languedoc), from which it derives its name. The medium-late ripening vine is resistant to powdery mildew, botrytis and trickling, as well as to heat. It produces dark-coloured, full-bodied red wines with soft tannins and ageing potential. It is also suitable as table grape. The variety is cultivated in France in the Languedoc and on the Rhône and occupies a total of 3,662 hectares here. There are other stocks in Bulgaria, Romania (11 ha), Switzerland (2 ha), Serbia (84 ha), Spain (1 ha), Hungary (2 ha), as well as overseas in Argentina (10 ha), Brazil (23 ha), Chile (24 ha), China, South Africa (3 ha), Uruguay (120 ha) and USA. In 2016, a total of 3,941 hectares of vineyards were designated. The variety is thus ranked 132nd in the global grape variety ranking (Kym Anderson).
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