From: Seyssel, Savoie, France
Varietals: 70% Molette, 30% Altesse
Taste: In the glass, this wine has a pale lemon color with fine and persistent bubbles, giving it a lively appearance. On the nose, the wine is delicate and floral, with notes of white flowers, honeysuckle, and lemon blossom. As the wine opens up, it reveals subtle hints of green apple and freshly baked brioche. On the palate, the wine is crisp and refreshing, with a fine, persistent mousse that provides a creamy texture to the wine. The wine's acidity is well-balanced, and the flavors are fresh and bright, with a core of citrus fruit, such as lemon, lime, and grapefruit. There are also subtle hints of green apple and white peach, along with a touch of minerality that provides structure and depth to the wine. The finish is long and refreshing, leaving a pleasant aftertaste of citrus and brioche.
Pairing: This gorgeous bubbly is a versatile wine that pairs well with a variety of dishes. Its bright acidity and fresh flavors make it an excellent match for seafood, salads, and light pasta dishes. It can also be enjoyed as an aperitif or paired with cheese and charcuterie plates. Pairing: This gorgeous bubbly is a versatile wine that pairs well with a variety of dishes. Its bright acidity and fresh flavors make it an excellent match for seafood, salads, and light pasta dishes. It can also be enjoyed as an aperitif or paired with cheese and charcuterie plates. Here are some specific pairing suggestions, including vegetarian options:
Fresh seafood: The crisp acidity and citrus flavors of the 2017 Lambert de Seyssel, Royal Sessel Methode Traditionnelle make it a natural pairing for fresh seafood, such as oysters, shrimp, and scallops. It also pairs well with sushi and sashimi, providing a refreshing contrast to the rich and savory flavors of the fish.
Salads: This wine is an excellent match for light and refreshing salads, such as a summer salad with fresh greens, berries, and goat cheese. The wine's bright acidity and citrus flavors complement the tanginess of the cheese and the sweetness of the fruit, while its creamy texture provides a pleasant contrast to the crisp greens.
Light pasta dishes: The 2017 Lambert de Seyssel, Royal Sessel Methode Traditionnelle is also an excellent pairing for light pasta dishes, such as linguine with fresh pesto or spaghetti with garlic and lemon. The wine's acidity and minerality help to cut through the richness of the pasta, while its bright citrus flavors provide a refreshing contrast to the savory flavors of the dish.
Vegetarian options: For vegetarian options, this wine pairs well with a variety of dishes, such as a roasted vegetable tart, grilled tofu with lemon and herbs, or a light vegetable curry. The wine's citrus flavors and creamy texture complement the fresh and bright flavors of the vegetables, while its acidity provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the dishes. Check out today’s pairing recipe below!
Tofu Larb
By Hetty McKinnon
About, via KLWM. Seyssel may be unknown to many oenophiles today, but the vineyards of this small appellation are regularly mentioned in documents dating back to at least the 11th century, and with the development of sparkling wine production methods in the 19th century a new Seyssel mousseux was created that quickly gained great popularity.
Even Queen Victoria is said to have enjoyed the region’s sparkling wines during spa stays in neighboring towns. The “Royal Seyssel” label (originally called “Royal Carte Bleue”), launched in 1901 by the Varichon and Clerc families, was considered for many years to be the best sparkling Seyssel on the market. But when the operation was purchased in the 1990s by a large Burgundian négociant, quality suffered badly, and in 2007 the owners finally closed the local winery, keeping only the rights to the name ‘Varichon et Clerc’ in order to shift the name recognition in the market to their other sparkling wines. Dismayed to see what their great local wine had come to, Seysselans Gérard and Catherine Lambert teamed up with Olivier Varichon, great-grandson of the founder, to buy back the Royal Seyssel label and recreate the light, floral wine that was once so renowned.
The sparkling wines of Seyssel indulge in the same méthode traditionnelle production techniques used for Champagne, and Lambert de Seyssel takes it one step further by aging the Royal Seyssel for at least three years before disgorging it, giving the wine more complex, distinguished aromas and a fine perlage than the competition, which ages only the legal minimum of nine months. The house style is also quite dry (low dosage) in order to preserve the character of the grape varieties.
This wine. The 2017 Lambert de Seyssel, Royal Sessel Methode Traditionnelle is made from two grape varietals that are native to the region, Molette and Altesse.
Molette is a white grape that is grown almost exclusively in the Savoie region and is known for its fresh, floral aromas and citrus flavors. Altesse, also known as Roussette, is another local grape variety that is appreciated for its richness, complexity, and high acidity. These two grape varieties come together to create a sparkling wine that is both unique and delicious.
