Chasselas

Chasselas
Grape (Vitis)
Chasselas grapes growing in Baden under its local name Gutedel
Color of berry skin	Blanc
Species	Vitis vinifera
Also called	Chasselas blanc, Fendant, Gutedel, and other synonyms
Notable regions	Switzerland, Baden (Germany), Loire (France)

Chasselas or Chasselas blanc is a wine grape variety grown in Switzerland, France, Germany, Portugal, Hungary, Romania and New Zealand. Chasselas is mostly vinified to be a full, dry and fruity white wine. It is also suitable as a table grape, grown widely for this purpose in Turkey and Hungary.

Theories of its origin vary. Pierre Galet believes it is a native Swiss variety.

In 1940, Chasselas was crossed with Silvaner to produce the white grape variety Nobling.

Widely grown in the cantons of Switzerland where it has several regional synonym names, the main one being Fendant in the Valais canton. It is considered an ideal pairing for raclette or fondue. Chasselas is also known as Perlan in the Mandement district of Geneva. In 2009, it was Switzerland's second most grown grape variety at 4,013 hectares (9,920 acres).

In Germany with 1,123 hectares (2,770 acres), it is almost exclusively grown in the wine region of Baden under the name Gutedel.

In France it is mostly grown in the Loire region where it is converted into a blend with Sauvignon blanc called "Pouilly-sur-Loire". California and Australian growers know this variety under the alias names of Chasselas Dore or Golden Chasselas.

Michel Chapoutier has stated that he is looking for land for a vineyard in England, which would be planted with Chasselas. He said that he believed Chasselas would suit the English climate and terroir very well.