The white grape variety originates from France. The name means "Highness" and is derived from the hypothesis that its introduction in France was made by a Savoyard prince. Synonyms include Altesse Blanche, Altesse Verte, Anet, Arin, Fusette, Fusette d’Ambérieu, Fusette de Montagnieu, Ignam, Ignan Blanc, Mâconnais, Marestel, Petit Mâconnais, Plant d’Altesse, Prin Blanc, Roussette, Roussette Basse, Roussette de Montagnieu, Roussette de Seyssel, Roussette Grosse, Roussette Haute, Roussette Petite, and Serène Blanche.
Origin
The first mention of the vine comes from the Savoy nobleman Marquis Costa de Beauregard in 1774. According to a hypothesis, it may originate from the Orient and was introduced in the 15th century by Louis of Savoy (1436-1482) from Cyprus, who was also king of this island. However, there is no evidence for an oriental origin.
Ancestry
Despite seemingly indicative synonyms or morphological similarities, it should not be confused with the varieties Furmint, Jacquère, Roussanne, Roussette d’Ayze, or Viognier. The ampelographer Pierre Galet (1921-2019) suspected that it might be at least related to the Hungarian Furmint, which was disproven by DNA analyses conducted in 2009. However, there is a close genetic relationship to the variety Chasselas.
Characteristics
The medium to late ripening vine is susceptible to both types of mildew and Botrytis. It produces acidic, fragrant white wines with aromas of violets, honey, and almonds with aging potential, suitable for sparkling wine.
Cultivation Areas
The variety is mainly grown in Savoy and is often blended with Aligoté, Chardonnay, Gringet, and Jacquère. It is permitted in the areas of Roussette de Savoie, Seyssel, and Vin de Savoie. There are also stocks in the departments of Var and Vaucluse in Provence. The cultivation area is 222 hectares. There is a stock of 5 hectares in the Swiss canton of Vaud. In 2016, a total of 227 hectares of vineyard area were reported (Kym Anderson).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Images: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
