Domaine Vendange, Altesse, Madame de M

WINEMAKER : Diane Gounel & Benjamin Vendange

REGION :  Roussette de Savoie, France

GRAPE : Altesse 100%

VINTAGE : 2021

ABV : 14%

NOTES : Vegan

The owners of Domaine Vendange started bottling their own wines in 2015 but the vineyards have been in the family for much, much longer. With 10 hectares on glacial moraines, they show huge respect for tradition and the terroir they’ve been gifted. Rich soils and perfect climate give the perfect foundations for a great wine celebrating the Savoie. Subtle brioche takes you first then complex blossom notes with some spice and flint before a textured, livepalate of pea and citrus. It’s deceptively intense but very balanced. It’s fresh too and for those unfamiliar with the name Altesse, the grape is also known as roussette but think of riesling, pinot gris notes. Pairing wise, it can be used the same. Strong aromatic dishes but things with a good garlic lead, bit of sweetness and a kick of spice will take advantage of the acidity and strong aromas of the wine.

WINERY & PRODUCTION

With great limestone soils with layers of silty clay, the former glacial valley is perfect for producing elegant fresh wines. The vines are at 400 metres altitude in a mountainous microclimate allow concentrated juice but still cool freshness. All grapes are hand harvested with pruning, debudding, trellising and leaf stripping to keep the vines in check. There’s a gentle press at low pressure with the must cold settled overnight. Then gravity fed and fermented in stainless steel with natural yeast under closely monitored temperature. Malolactic takes place in the winter and 95% of the wine is aged in the steel takes on lees for over 12 months with 5% matured in 3 year old burgundy barrels. Technique and attention to detail these guys