Altesse
A late-ripening Savoyard grape resistant to grey rot.
Altesse, also known as Roussette, is a white wine grape variety primarily grown in the Savoy wine region of France. It yields small harvests and ripens late but resists grey rot, producing wines with exotic aromas, citrus and herbal notes, good acidity, and aging potential. Its origin is debated, with claims of Cypriot or French provenance, and it is considered similar to Hungary's Furmint variety.
Quick Facts
- Species
- Vitis vinifera
- Also called
- Altesse Blanche
- Roussette
- and other synonyms
- Origin
- France
- Regions
- Savoy, Bugey
- Notable wines
- Roussette de Savoie
Facts from the source article.
Wine regions
Altesse is the variety used for Roussette de Savoie and Roussette du Bugey in the Bugey region. Previously, wines labeled only with the appellation name could include up to 50% Chardonnay. This practice was phased out in Savoy from the 2001 vintage, requiring 100% Altesse for Roussette de Savoie, and from the 2009 vintage for Roussette du Bugey. There were 300 hectares of Altesse in France in 2000.
More in White Wine Grape Varieties from France
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