The Altesse
Grape
Predominantly found in the Savoie region of France, Altesse is a high-quality white grape variety. It produces wines with floral aromatics and complex flavors of citrus, honey, and almonds, along with a distinctive mineral streak, known for their good acidity and aging potential.
Altesse
Grape History
Altesse is a white wine grape variety primarily grown in the Savoie region of France. Also known as Roussette, this grape has a long and storied history that dates back to at least the 16th century. The origins of Altesse are somewhat mysterious, with some theories suggesting that it may have been brought to Savoie by monks from Cyprus, while others believe it may have originated in the Middle East.
Altesse is known for its high acidity, floral aromas, and flavors of peach, citrus, and honey. It is often used to produce dry white wines, although it can also be used to make sweet wines and sparkling wines. Altesse is frequently blended with the local Jacquère grape to produce wines that are fresh, aromatic, and well-balanced.
Altesse is predominantly grown in the Savoie region of France, particularly in the subregions of Roussette de Savoie and Seyssel. The grape thrives in the Alpine climate of Savoie, where it benefits from sunny slopes and cool temperatures. Altesse is also grown in small quantities in Switzerland, where it is known as "Heida," as well as in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
In recent years, Altesse has been gaining recognition for its unique character and the high-quality wines it produces. Some winemakers are experimenting with different winemaking techniques to showcase the full potential of this grape variety. With increasing interest in indigenous grape varieties and unique wine styles, Altesse is poised to gain more popularity among wine enthusiasts in the coming years.
Overall, Altesse is a fascinating grape variety with a rich history and the potential to produce exceptional wines. Whether used on its own or blended with other grapes, Altesse showcases the terroir of the Savoie region and offers a distinct and memorable tasting experience for wine lovers around the world.
Introduction
Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!
I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....
After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.
Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.
Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.
As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.
Cheers! - Franklin Laurel