Varietal Article
Chasselas
Last edited on 9/24/2013 by ewill
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Varietal Character (Appellation America)
Taken From Wikipedia:
Chasselas is a wine grape variety grown in Switzerland, France, Germany, Portugal and New Zealand.
Theories of its origin vary. Some believe it originally comes from from Egypt with a 5,000 year history of cultivation. Others, notbably Pierre Galet believe it is a native Swiss variety.
Widely grown in the cantons of Switzerland where it has several regional synonym names, the main one being Fendant in the Valais canton. It is considered an ideal pairing for Raclette or Fondue. Chasselas is also known as Perlan in the Mandement district.
In Germany with 1,123 hectares, it is almost exclusively grown in the wine region of Baden under the name Gutedel.
Chasselas is mostly vinified to be a full, dry and fruity white wine. It is also suitable as a table grape, grown widely for this purpose 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. 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.
From WineSearcher.com
Chasselas is the most important and widely planted grape variety in Switzerland. It is also grown in France, Germany, eastern Europe, north Africa and the Americas, but the Swiss tend to have the most success with this often neutral-tasting grape.
There are a range of theories about where Chasselas originated — Egypt, the Middle East, the town of Chasselas in the Maconnais and Switzerland have all been suggested. Wherever it originated, it has been grown in Germany and Switzerland for at least 500 years, with the latter succeeding in creating terroir-expressive wines.
Chasselas
A Chasselas Vine
Chasselas is a green-skinned variety that turns yellow-golden when ripe. It can be a very vigorous and an over-productive vine if not properly controlled. It makes very light-bodied wine that blends well with Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris or almost any other white wine variety available.
The best examples in Switzerland can show a range of fruity, floral and mineral flavors, with good acidity and the ability to age well. Older examples tend to show more honeyed and nutty flavors, taking on a more golden hue that is characteristic of older wines.
In France, Chasselas is not taken particularly seriously and it has been largely removed from Alsace and the Loire where it was once widely planted. It is still used in the production of table grapes, which may have prejudiced the French against its winemaking potential.
The Germans and Italians also grow a little Chasselas. Unsurprisingly, the more serious expressions of it are produced in areas close to the Swiss border, such as Savoie in France and Baden in Germany.
A red-skinned version known as Roter Gutedel, or Chasselas Violet, is also grown to a limited extent.
Synonyms include: Fendant, Perlan, Gutedel, Dorin, Wälscher, Chasselas de Moissac, Chasselas Doré, Moster, Marzemina Bianca, Chrupka Bila.
Food matches include:
Europe: Mushroom pastetli (pie)
Australasia/Oceania: Crayfish laksa
Taken From Wikipedia:
Chasselas is a wine grape variety grown in Switzerland, France, Germany, Portugal and New Zealand.
Theories of its origin vary. Some believe it originally comes from from Egypt with a 5,000 year history of cultivation. Others, notbably Pierre Galet believe it is a native Swiss variety.
Widely grown in the cantons of Switzerland where it has several regional synonym names, the main one being Fendant in the Valais canton. It is considered an ideal pairing for Raclette or Fondue. Chasselas is also known as Perlan in the Mandement district.
In Germany with 1,123 hectares, it is almost exclusively grown in the wine region of Baden under the name Gutedel.
Chasselas is mostly vinified to be a full, dry and fruity white wine. It is also suitable as a table grape, grown widely for this purpose 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. 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.
From WineSearcher.com
Chasselas is the most important and widely planted grape variety in Switzerland. It is also grown in France, Germany, eastern Europe, north Africa and the Americas, but the Swiss tend to have the most success with this often neutral-tasting grape.
There are a range of theories about where Chasselas originated — Egypt, the Middle East, the town of Chasselas in the Maconnais and Switzerland have all been suggested. Wherever it originated, it has been grown in Germany and Switzerland for at least 500 years, with the latter succeeding in creating terroir-expressive wines.
Chasselas
A Chasselas Vine
Chasselas is a green-skinned variety that turns yellow-golden when ripe. It can be a very vigorous and an over-productive vine if not properly controlled. It makes very light-bodied wine that blends well with Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris or almost any other white wine variety available.
The best examples in Switzerland can show a range of fruity, floral and mineral flavors, with good acidity and the ability to age well. Older examples tend to show more honeyed and nutty flavors, taking on a more golden hue that is characteristic of older wines.
In France, Chasselas is not taken particularly seriously and it has been largely removed from Alsace and the Loire where it was once widely planted. It is still used in the production of table grapes, which may have prejudiced the French against its winemaking potential.
The Germans and Italians also grow a little Chasselas. Unsurprisingly, the more serious expressions of it are produced in areas close to the Swiss border, such as Savoie in France and Baden in Germany.
A red-skinned version known as Roter Gutedel, or Chasselas Violet, is also grown to a limited extent.
Synonyms include: Fendant, Perlan, Gutedel, Dorin, Wälscher, Chasselas de Moissac, Chasselas Doré, Moster, Marzemina Bianca, Chrupka Bila.
Food matches include:
Europe: Mushroom pastetli (pie)
Australasia/Oceania: Crayfish laksa