Dominique Lucas manages two domaines. One is in Pommard, in Burgundy, and the other, Les Vignes de Paradis, in Savoie. Les Vignes du Paradis is situated in Ballaison, close to Thonon-les-Bains, on the shores of Lake Geneva. It’s therefore no surprise that this domaine grows beautiful Chasselas grapes, one of Switzerland’s finest white grape varieties. Alongside Chasselas, Dominique Lucas chose to forego production of Crépy AOC wines on his 6 hectares of vines, in order to be able to produce the best possible cuvées of Chardonnay, Savagnin, Sauvignon and Pinot Gris. The wines are labeled with the IGP Vin des Allobroges. Every effort is made to pick the best grapes possible and vinify them appropriately: biodynamic viticulture, harvesting with successive selections, long fermentation, élevage in barrels, egg-shaped vats and amphora. An excellent domaine whose high-quality wines are works of pure alchemy.

Chasselas goes by the name of Fendant in Switzerland. In France, however, this grape variety has long since had a bad reputation. Dominique Lucas wonderfully demonstrates the potential of this grape with a superb tour de force. The wine has a light sucrosity which is entirely integrated into the freshness of flavour and a low alcohol content. Like German Rieslings, this cuvée is incredibly fresh and digestible, even despite its pH being higher than many other whites. A superb wine, and a wonderful match for salt- and freshwater fish.