It is the oldest known grape variety, coming from Egypt, that has now been cultivated for more than 5,000 years. Recent research indicates that the Viognier grape may be clonally related.
Widely grown in the cantons of Switzerland where it has several regional synonym names, the main one being Fendant in the Valais canton. Chasselas is also known as Perlan in the Mandement district.
Chasselas is mostly vinified to be a full, dry and fruity white wine. It is also suitable as a table grape, grown widely in Turkey. In France it is mostly grown in the Loire region where it is converted into a blend with Sauvignon Blanc called "Pouilly_sur_Loire" and in the Savoie region where it is treated in the Swiss manner. German growers of the Baden region know it under the name Gutedel. In New Zealand it is mainly made into popular sweet white wines. Californian and Australian growers know this variety under the alias names of Chasselas Dore or Golden Chasselas.
Bringing up the subject of the Chasselasgrape when talking about wine in Switzerland is a given.
Well-born and bred Chasselas is highly sensitive to the diversity found in the soils, exposure and altitude.
And though we didnt get the opportunity to taste it, I would nevertheless like to evoke the La Mouette 2004, the high-flying cuvee by the aforementioned Simon Maye, who is a good example of identification through the terroir.
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