Mondeuse Noir
75cl * 12% ABV * AOP Vin de Savoie, France
Mondeuse Noir is densely coloured, with notes of rosemary, spice, menthol, blackcurrant pastilles, and violets.
One of only two red grape varieties permitted in Savoie, mondeuse was cultivated here by the gallic tribes of Ancient Gaul (the Allobroges) prior to the Roman invasion. Fans of the Asterix books might remember them being mentioned several times as being under Roman control and almost as indomitable as Asterix and Obelix. Back in the real world, Columella, the famous Roman writer, wrote about farming and agriculture, and referred to mondeuse as “the grape variety that ripens amidst the snow”. Mondeuse strives on scree slopes, marl and limestone soils. Its best expression can be found in the commune of Arbin.
Fresh and unoaked, with bright acidity on the palate, this is very much a fruit-forward wine that will go nicely with charcuterie, roast duck and raclette, gratin dauphinois and roast lamb. Unsurprisingly, given the wine’s weight it has a great aging potential and can be drunk anytime between now and 2032.