Seyssel

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• Soils derived from Tertiary molasse (calcareous sandstone or marls) overlaid by Quaternary moraines (clayey sands, gravels, boulders). (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
• Two contrasting soil types: heavy clay-brown soils on moraine versus skeletal, free-draining soils on sandy molasse, with numerous intermediate profiles. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
• Climate with an oceanic tendency and continental and southerly influences; 1,100–1,300 mm/year, approximately 1,800 hours of sunshine, and a mean temperature of around 10 °C: the northern limit of viticulture.
• Le Grand Colombier (1,534 m) blocks Atlantic weather systems and channels cold Swiss airflows or temperate air from the Bas-Dauphiné; vines planted between 200 and 400 m overlooking the Rhône. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

• First official mention of the vine in 1145; the vineyard was developed by the monks of Arvières in the 14th century, and the AOC was recognised in 1942.
• Altesse planted on moraines, molette on sandy molasse; sparkling wines produced by secondary fermentation in bottle.

• Altesse B: a nose of white flowers with notes of honey and acacia, freshness on the palate; off-dry styles are possible (fermentable sugars).
• Sparkling wines (molette B + altesse B): floral nose, a lively attack, with notes of cooked fruit, pain d'épice, and hints of roasted character.

• Gravel contributes finesse, limestone adds alcoholic structure, clay brings roundness; altesse and molette lend vivacity and aromatic freshness.

Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.

Sources

• Product specification (BO Agri, PDF), JORF 9 juillet 2015
• Official INAO text (show_texte)
• INAO product entry