L'Alpage Chasselas Haut vin Suisse 2021

L’Alpage Chasselas comes from vineyards of Mont-sur-Rolle sitting 500m above the town of Rolle in the La Côte region of Vaud in Switzerland. This region experiences warm, even hot, summers with sunny days and cold nights. Situated on the northern rim of Lake Geneva the vineyards face south gaining the full benefit of the sun’s radiation for grape ripening. So far everything here is consistent with a cool continental climate or even an Alpine climate at this latitude though a few additional factors make the climate much more temperate.

The primary grape here is Chasselas and conditions are ideal for Chasselas. Known as the symbol of Swiss white wine according to Jancis Robinson’s tome, Wine Grapes where they go on to state that Chasselas “is said to be particularly expressive in its place of origin, the wine changing markedly according to soil and climate”. Indeed, the six regions of the Vaud are defined by the terroir each possesses. Locally, many of these vineyards’ and appellations’ reputations have likened them, Mont-sur-Rolle included, to the crus of Burgundy in neighboring France.

L’Alpage Chasselas is grown on a mixed soil of clay, limestone and gravel using sustainable farming practices. The grapes are harvested by hand after which fermentation in stainless steel preserves the primary fruit character of lemon and red apple skins. A period of 6 months aging on the lees adds textural dimension and creaminess to the wine along with aromas and flavors of bright citrus fresh mowed hay, alpine herbs and wet stone. Crisp acidity propels a faint briny mineral quality and creaminess across the palate through the wines lengthy and quite broad finish.

Chasselas is a classic match for cave aged Swiss mountain cheese like Gruyere and for fondue in winter as well as mild white fish like trout.

~IRL