Marselan is relatively new as a grape variety, being recognized and patented by The French National Agronomic Research Institute in 1961. It was actually bred from Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache. Marselan grape bunches produce very small berries yielding very little juice. Marselan will, however, give a high quality wine with excellent aromas of ripe fruit, soft tannins, good structure, and age-ability. Marselan is able to offer the best attributes of its parental varietals. It is almost exclusively grown between the Nimes and Pyrenees and the river valley between Montelimar and Avignon. Marselan tends to ripen late in the harvest period and thus buds late as well. Marselan vines must be trained to be pruned short. Marselan does exceptionally well in dry soils in warm climates with good exposure.