The Winery Damien Laureau of Savennières of Loire Valley

Discover the grape variety: Mondeuse blanche

Haute-Savoie finds in Mondeuse blanche one of the oldest grape varieties planted in its vineyards. It can be found throughout Savoie and Ain, although its cultivation is not very well developed. Barely 5 hectares of vineyards are planted with this variety. It is known by other names such as savouette, dongine, couilleri or aigre blanc. Mondeuse blanche can be recognized by the downy appearance of its young shoots bearing very tan leaves, reminiscent of spider webs. The leaf blade tends to lose its tan appearance as it ages, while the 5 lobes are clearly defined. Mondeuse blanche produces bunches of grapes that give a wine with good acidity and a long shelf life, which can be kept for up to thirty years. They appear compact, cylindrical and winged. The juicy, sweet and crunchy berries ripen in the second late season. The golden yellow or green skin is quite strong, covering an ovoid or spherical fruit of medium size.