Frangy and Seyssel

There will be no way for the reader ever to taste a Roussette de Frangy or a Roussette de Seyssel in its natural state in the United States since it does not travel well. The only version we can find is the Royal Seyssel, its mousseux version, which is pleasant but in no way the same as the natural wine. Both the Roussette de Frangy and that of Seyssel are grapes derived from the Altesse grape, which came originally from the island of Cyprus.

The red wines are made from the Gamay grape, with which we are all very familiar, and another grape, very local and indigenous to the Savoie, the Mondeuse. Mondeuse is so ancient that it was mentioned by Caesar in the De Bello Gallico. Loved by all vintners of the Savoie, the Mondeuse was given the name la princesse; it is difficult to vinify: Pressed with the small stalks still attached, it may, if some of the small grape stems are left on a little too long, turn slightly astringent and even in the worst cases raspy.