Description
The Chasselas de Moissac PDO is a fresh table grape, but it is also used for storage.
Production Area
The production area of the Chasselas de Moissac PDO includes 76 municipal areas of the Tarnet-Garrone and Lot departments, in the Midi-Pyrenees region.
Production Method
Harvesting phases mark the seasons and require, in the case of Chasselas, between a thousand and two thousand working hours per hectare. Pruning, tying up, irrigation and leaf removal are operations carried out very carefully by the producers so that bunches can develop under the best conditions. The grape harvest is carried out manually in several steps. After that, it is compulsory to prepare bunches for cleaning and conditioning.
Appearance and Flavour
Chasselas de Moissac PDO has flexible, homogenous, golden bunches, they are minimum 12 cm long and they weigh 100 gr minimum. Grapes must be ripe, free of deformations, deterioration and pathologies. Its flavour is delicate; the grapes must be translucent gold and green. It also has fair bunches with a lot of small grapes with floral and fruity aroma with cherry and hazel scent.
History
The origins of the Chasselas de Moissac PDO are closely related to the very ancient presence of vineyards in the Moissagais region. Only after 1845, with the development of river and railway transport, there was a strong widespread of this product towards Bordeaux and England. The development was suddenly interrupted by a serious invasion of phylloxera in 1870, but it recovered, expanding, during the 20th century.
Gastronomy
The Chasselas de Moissac PDO is an optimum product to be tasted fresh but it is also used for long storage. Every grape is treated in cleaning and conditioning centres. Chasselas de Moissac PDO is consumed as table grape, but it can be obtained a delicious juice to be served cold. It is also used in pheasant and partridge preparations and as tart filling.
Marketing
The product is sold as Chasselas de Moissac PDO. It is marketed in packaging that preserves the characteristics and quality of the product and allows reducing handling.
Distinctive Features
The Chasselas de Moissac PDO originality derives exclusively from the particular type of production, mainly manual which the grape undergoes during the several production phases, in addition to other climatic characteristics of the production area.
