A light dry white drunk with fondue and raclette, and Switzerland’s main white grape. It is grown on the terraced Lavaux vineyards above Lake Geneva that UNESCO listed as world heritage in 2007.
Wine is grown, not cooked, and made in a licensed cellar on terraces that have to be worked by hand.
What goes into it
- Chasselas grapes
- yeast
How it is made
The grapes are grown on stone terraces that take sun three ways — directly, off the lake and off the walls — and are pressed and fermented cool. The variety is famously neutral, which is the point: it carries the mineral character of the site rather than its own aroma, so the terrace it came from is what people taste for.
How long it takes: one vintage a year
How it is eaten
Cold with fondue, raclette, perch fillets and dried meat.
History
Switzerland’s main white grape, grown on the terraced Lavaux vineyards above Lake Geneva that UNESCO listed as world heritage in 2007.
Frequently asked questions
What is Chasselas?
Chasselas is a wine & spirit from Switzerland: light dry white wine drunk with fondue and raclette. Switzerland’s main white grape, grown on the terraced Lavaux vineyards above Lake Geneva that UNESCO listed as world heritage in 2007.
How is Chasselas made?
The grapes are grown on stone terraces that take sun three ways — directly, off the lake and off the walls — and are pressed and fermented cool. The variety is famously neutral, which is the point: it carries the mineral character of the site rather than its own aroma, so the terrace it came from is what people taste for. It takes one vintage a year.
Can I make Chasselas at home?
No, and the atlas gives no method for it. Wine is grown, not cooked, and made in a licensed cellar on terraces that have to be worked by hand.
What goes into Chasselas?
Chasselas grapes, yeast.
How is Chasselas eaten?
Cold with fondue, raclette, perch fillets and dried meat.
