In short: Mondeuse is the great red grape of Savoie, emblematic of the Combe de Savoie according to the specifications. Red and black fruit, pepper, violet, noticeable tannins but intact liveliness: it’s the Savoyard red to serve with a raclette loaded with cured meats, as long as you pick it young and fruity. Look for “Arbin” or “Saint-Jean-de-la-Porte” on the label, two crus that are 100% Mondeuse. As for vintages, 2020 and 2018 produced very fine Mondeuses, and 2022 concentrated reds.

This article contains Amazon affiliate links: if you buy through these links, Raclette Club earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Mondeuse with raclette: yes, but choose wisely

Let’s be honest: tannic red and melted cheese don’t always get along, and Mondeuse has character. The Vin de Savoie AOC specifications describe Mondeuse reds with a “deep vermilion color with purple glints”, marked by red or black fruit and spicy or peppery notes, with a palate that’s “structured, tannic, full while keeping its liveliness”.

It’s precisely that liveliness that saves it at the table. In our opinion, a young, fruit-forward Mondeuse goes very well with a raclette where cured meats play a big role: cured ham, air-dried beef, sausages. Vinatis actually lists raclette among its pairings, along with country ham, smoked Morteau sausage and Tome des Bauges. With a Raclette de Savoie IGP or a blend with Tomme de Savoie, the neighborly pairing works. With a peppercorn raclette, the wine’s pepper answers the cheese’s, and the table applauds.

What we’d avoid: a Mondeuse built for aging, very oaky or still closed. It deserves game, not a raclette pan.

Where to find Mondeuse: the crus to know

Arbin and Saint-Jean-de-la-Porte, the 100% Mondeuse crus

Within the Vin de Savoie AOC, two additional geographical names are reserved for Mondeuse, “exclusively”: Arbin and Saint-Jean-de-la-Porte. According to the specifications, the vines there often grow on steep, due-south-facing slopes, on very stony limestone scree where the roots go down more than two meters. Mondeuse gives wines there with red fruit notes wrapped in spice, with “elegant and delicious” tannins.

Chignin, Jongieux, Chautagne and plain Mondeuse

Mondeuse is one of the three main grapes for Savoie reds, along with Gamay and Pinot Noir, which together must make up at least 90% of the estate’s plantings. You’ll also find it in the reds of the Chignin, Jongieux and Chautagne crus; for Chignin, the official text mentions “powerful and structured” reds, with red fruit and spice. A simple “Savoie Mondeuse” does the job very well for raclette. There are also Mondeuse rosés, described as fresh, with raspberry and blueberry: a smart option if the table is torn between white and red.

Vinatis points out that Mondeuse now covers only about 200 hectares in Savoie, after the damage done by phylloxera in the 19th century. In other words, every bottle is a little piece of heritage: that’s no reason to drink it without cheese.

The best Mondeuse vintages

The assessments from 2018 to 2023 come from iDealwine’s vintage scores for Savoie (reds scored together with Jura reds, out of 20), and those for 2024 from the regional press. Vinatis advises waiting about two years before opening a Mondeuse, and up to ten years for the best cuvées. The “Drink” column is our advice for a raclette, where fruit beats aging.

VintageQuality / styleDrink
2024Savoie harvest of just over 100,000 hectoliters, below the ten-year average. Quality reported as good, with lighter wines in alcohol (La Radio Plus).Now for simple cuvées
2023According to iDealwine, a Savoie vintage that “is shaping up to be one of the most successful in recent years”, with elegant, balanced wines.Now
2022Reds 18/20: reds of great richness and concentration; volumes reduced by hail.Now for simple cuvées; the crus can wait
2021Reds 15/20; Mondeuses picked at just the right ripeness offer very appealing aromatics.Now
2020Reds 17/20; the Mondeuses are “very successful overall”.Now
2019Reds 17/20; Savoie reds a bit less rich than usual, easier to drink, probably with shorter aging potential.Now
2018Reds 17/20; fine Mondeuses, less austere than usual, that should age well.Now (crus)

We haven’t found a reliable report on the 2025 vintage for Savoie reds, so no opinion from us on that one.

How to serve Mondeuse

  • Temperature: the Guide Hachette gives 16 to 18 °C on its Mondeuse listings. For raclette, we serve it at the low end of that range: a red that’s too warm next to melted cheese is a guaranteed nap.
  • Glass: a classic stemmed red wine glass.
  • Decanter: useful for a somewhat closed cru Mondeuse; unnecessary for a young, fruity one.
  • Quantity: our benchmark is half a bottle per wine-drinking adult over the evening, counting the white. Open the white first, then the Mondeuse when the cured meats arrive in force.
See prices on Amazon

Other wines for raclette

Back to the complete guide to wines for raclette, or to the raclette pantry. For a lighter Savoyard red, see our page on Gamay from Savoie; for a supple Swiss red, Dôle du Valais. And if you’re sticking with white, Roussette de Savoie is the ideal neighbor.

Pinterest pin : Mondeuse from Savoie and raclette: the peppery red and its vintages
📌 Pin this page on Pinterest so you can find it on raclette night.

Frequently asked questions

Can you drink Mondeuse with raclette?

Yes, in our opinion, if it’s young and fruity: its liveliness and peppery notes go very well with cured meats and a peppercorn raclette. Avoid very tannic or oaky cuvées built for aging.

Which Savoie crus are 100% Mondeuse?

Arbin and Saint-Jean-de-la-Porte. The Vin de Savoie AOC specifications require Mondeuse exclusively there.

Does Mondeuse age well?

Yes: Vinatis advises waiting about two years, and up to ten years for the best cuvées. For raclette, we prefer young, fruitier bottles.

What temperature should you serve Mondeuse at?

The Guide Hachette gives 16 to 18 °C on its Mondeuse listings. With raclette, we recommend the low end of the range.

Sources