This unique tradition in Neuchâtel dates back to 1975. The Non Filtré was born out of an inadequate grape harvest. In fact, the poor harvest led to a shortage of white wine throughout the canton. To meet the demand of thirsty customers, a winery decided to bottle part of its production even though the wine had not yet been filtered.
Numerous legends surround the discovery of this ‘non-filtré’. One of them tells the story of a villager who came to Henri-Alexandre Godet, a winemaker now considered the founding father of ‘non-filtré’, and asked him for bottles of wine for a wedding. Since the winemaker had run out of bottles, he suggested that the villager take the wine that had not yet been filtered. The villager later returned to Henri-Alexandre Godet and assured him that his wine was excellent.
Another legend tells of how a friend of the winemaker had tasted a Chasselas still in the fermentation process and found it to be very good. He therefore asked the winemaker to bottle it.
Today, over thirty winemakers produce the ‘Non Filtré’ under the auspices of Neuchâtel Vins et Terroir (NVT). According to NVT, sales of the ‘Non Filtré’ are growing steadily and exports are increasing, even beyond the borders of the canton. And there is a reason for this: ‘The wine is affordable and uncomplicated in terms of taste,’ says Mireille Bühler of NVT.
In terms of volume, it accounts for 15% of the Chasselas grown in the canton, but this share is increasing. About 66% of sales are in the region, 23% in German-speaking Switzerland, 10% in French-speaking Switzerland and 1% in Ticino. Chasselas is also being drunk later and later, sometimes even displacing the famous Œil de Perdrix from summer terraces.
Neuchâtel Non Filtré is an unfiltered white wine made from Chasselas grapes. It is bottled at the beginning of January, after complete fermentation but without undergoing any filtration. Non Filtré is characterised by its unique taste, which is due to the yeasts from the alcoholic fermentation. The fine yeasts, these floating particles, give the wine its cloudy appearance. They are a sign of quality and contribute to an extraordinary feeling of freshness.
The ‘Non Filtré’ surprises with a generous range of aromas. On the nose, the wine reveals a complex bouquet of flowers, enriched with exotic notes. Its aromas range from citrus fruits to subtle hints of pineapple, offering an unexpected taste experience. You could say: a different Chasselas.
To fully enjoy Neuchatel Non Filtré, there is a crucial step to take before opening the bottle: turn it upside down first. This stirs up the fine yeasts at the bottom of the bottle, causing them to merge with the wine and release the full intensity of its aromas. The ideal serving temperature for this wine is 10 °C.
This cloudy white wine, made from the Chasselas grape variety, is an excellent choice for a wide range of dishes, going well beyond the traditional aperitif.
The ‘Non Filtré’ is very suitable for aperitifs. It promises to delight the palate from the very first sip, making it an ideal companion to kick off any culinary experience.
For lovers of delicate fish from local lakes, the Neuchâtel Non Filtré is an excellent choice. It goes well with fine smoked fish as a starter and adds a touch of sophistication to the meal.
Non-filtré also goes well with cheese. It goes well with fresh and semi-hard cheeses, creating a tasty balance between the wine and the milk flavours.
For those who want to try more daring pairings, non-filtré can also be combined with exotic dishes.
Wine lovers and anyone else who is curious are invited to discover the speciality at a public wine-tasting session in La Chaux-de-Fonds on 15 January 2025. It's the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the wine culture of Neuchâtel and learn about the expertise of local winemakers.
Neuchâtel Vins et Terroir is also offering a ‘Non Filtré’ discovery box of 3, 6 or 12 bottles. Each box contains a selection of ‘Non Filtré’ wines from various cellars in the region, which you can enjoy with your loved ones.
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