Definition: Mondeuse

Originally a Savoyard grape variety and red wine. Mondeuse produces a robust, colourful, powerful, tannic red wine that is suitable for ageing and surprisingly fruity. Mondeuse forms the basis of the renowned vineyards of Savoie and Ain. Before phylloxera, it was also found in Isère, Jura and Yonne. It is a grape variety with characteristics very similar to Syrah, another variety grown in the Côtes Rôties (north of the Côtes du Rhône).

It should preferably be pruned short to limit its vigour.

Mondeuse is also gaining ground as a speciality in French-speaking Switzerland.

A fascinating article entitled "Éloge de la Mondeuse" (In Praise of Mondeuse) has just been published - Source: Jacques Perrin's excellent blog "Mille Plateaux" - Wednesday 23 February 2011, article by Nicolas Herbin:

On 16 February 2011, the dynamic Henri Chollet, with the help of his entire family, organised a magnificent tasting of French and Swiss Mondeuse wines at his estate in Villette, Lavaux, attended by the best Alpine winegrowers who specialise in this grape variety.

N.B.: You can read this excellent illustrated article in the PDF below. Don't miss it, as it heralds the success of a rapidly developing grape variety, complete with a video by an eminent connoisseur!