In Switzerland's wine-producing regions, which include Valais, Vaud, German-speaking Switzerland, Geneva, Ticino and the Three-Lakes region, over 2,500 winegrowers cultivate 14,696 hectares of vineyards.
The special relief of the Swiss vineyards leads to viticulture on a human scale, where the winemaker's hand is the most important tool in helping the grapes to ripen.
Switzerland offers numerous wine tourism destinations and activities in the heart of the Alps. A wide variety of landscapes and grape varieties ensure exciting experiences.
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Chasselas
Grape variety White
Serving temperature:
8-10°C
Technical details Chasselas
Area under vines in Switzerland: 3,502 hectares
Other names: Chasselas is also known as Gutedel (in Germany) or Fendant (in Valais).
The taste of Chasselas
Chasselas is a light, elegant white wine with subtle aromas. It is characterised by sweet fruity notes of apple, pear and citrus, complemented by floral nuances such as acacia or lime blossom. The mineral note, often derived from the terroir of certain wine-growing regions such as Lavaux or Valais, is particularly characteristic.
On the palate, Chasselas is dry, harmonious and softly acidic, making it pleasant to drink. Older wines sometimes develop a slight nutty note.
Swiss Chasselas wines perfectly express the characteristics of their terroir.
Food and wine pairings with Chasselas
Chasselas does not mask the flavours of dishes, but rather enhances them. A classic pairing is with cheese: thanks to its delicate acidity, Chasselas balances the creaminess of fondue and raclette.
It also goes very well with fish and seafood. Trout and fera go particularly well with the light structure of this wine. What's more, the mineral notes of Chasselas underline the salty freshness of oysters and mussels.
History and culture of Chasselas
Chasselas is deeply rooted in Swiss wine history. The first references to this grape variety date back to the 17th century, and it became particularly widespread in the Lake Geneva region. Wine producers in the Vaud region have finely tuned its cultivation over the generations, so that Chasselas is now the main grape variety grown there.
Chasselas is particularly well adapted to the cool climate and chalky soils of Switzerland, which give the wines their characteristic minerality. It is an early-ripening grape that is sensitive in both the vineyard and in the cellars.
Distribution of Chasselas in Switzerland
Chasselas is Switzerland's most widespread white grape variety. It is grown mainly in the cantons of Vaud, Valais (where it is known as Fendant), Geneva and the Trois-Lacs region. In this region, Neuchâtel is known for its speciality Chasselas, the Non-Filtré.
Distribution of grape varieties
Chasselas is grown in several wine regions
63%
21%
8%
7%
0%
0%
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the Chasselas grape variety
In Germany, the name Gutedel is more common. In Valais, Chasselas is known as Fendant. This name is an allusion to the grapes, which burst easily under finger pressure (in French, se fendre). The Fendant appellation has been protected in Valais since 1966 and refers exclusively to Chasselas wines produced in the canton.
Chasselas wines are generally drunk young (2-3 years), as their low acidity is less conducive to prolonged cellaring than that of other grape varieties. Nevertheless, exceptional vintages can be aged for up to ten years or more under optimum conditions. Complex nutty aromas develop with age.
The association for the promotion of Chasselas is working to highlight this emblematic grape variety and its ageing potential through tastings.
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