“A fine vintage, harvested early, that promises much for 2025!”

Harvesting of the golden grapes so emblematic of Chasselas de Moissac PDO began on August 18. This year's campaign has started early and looks very promising: "So far, we're seeing an excellent harvest, with grapes showing outstanding quality and perfect ripeness. Thanks to particularly favorable weather—plenty of sunshine, minimal temperature fluctuations, and little excess rainfall—the harvest began 10 days ahead of schedule. The result of 1,200 hours of meticulous work per hectare by the chasselatières and chasselatiers: bunches brimming with sunshine, golden and perfectly ripe, syrupy with subtle, delicate aromas! We hope to surpass the 1,832 tonnes produced in 2024 and reach 2,500 tonnes," explains Claude Gauthier, President of the Syndicat de Défense du Chasselas de Moissac PDO.

Chasselas de Moissac PDO: Quality above all else
These little golden berries are the fruit of a unique terroir and age-old know-how. Harvested exclusively by hand and picked at full ripeness, Chasselas de Moissac PDO grapes demand the utmost care from the 165 growers who cultivate them across 346 hectares. Proof of its exceptional quality, it was the very first fresh fruit to receive an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (1971) and, later, to be listed in the Inventaire National du Patrimoine Culturel Immatériel (2017). These invaluable national and European distinctions guarantee superior taste quality while safeguarding the traditional character of its cultivation. Over the years, Chasselas de Moissac PDO has had to withstand increasingly challenging weather conditions: late frosts, hail, excess rainfall, drought, and extreme temperature swings. Thanks to the meticulous work carried out daily in the vineyards, the grapes have shown remarkable resilience. This year, they have once again reached optimal ripeness—juicy, sweet, and full of flavor.

"We are rolling out a number of initiatives to help our growers cope with weather extremes, while continually innovating to improve growing conditions, for example, through High Environmental Value and GlobalG.A.P. certifications. All of this guarantees exceptional quality, safeguarded by strict production and marketing standards. That said, our sector faces several major challenges: climate change, an aging grower population, and labor shortages," the Syndicate explains. Chasselas de Moissac PDO is cultivated using traditional methods on 346 hectares spread across 76 communes of the Quercy region, from the south of the Lot department to the north of Tarn-et-Garonne. This production area benefits from a favorable climate and clay-limestone soils. The vines are planted on plateaux and hillsides with a south/southwest exposure, enjoying the combined influence of oceanic and Mediterranean currents.

Strong competition for Chasselas de Moissac PDO
At the beginning of this year's campaign, prices remain decent, but volumes are still limited. "The early ripening means that the product is available on a market that has not yet fully taken shape. We're seeing a slow start, with a wait-and-see attitude in the marketplace, a complicated back-to-school period, and strong competition from imported grapes and stone fruit still in abundance. We'll need to monitor developments, but for now nothing is alarming—it's only September 5," explains Julien Custody, Vice-President of the Syndicat de Défense du Chasselas de Moissac PDO.

Although consumer trends are moving increasingly towards seedless grapes, Chasselas de Moissac PDO still offers many advantages for both producers and consumers. "There's no denying that Chasselas de Moissac PDO, like other seeded varieties, faces strong competition from the seedless trend—including varieties also grown on our farms. But for growers, Chasselas provides reliable, regular yields each year, which is not always the case with new seedless varieties that seem more vulnerable to our climate. For consumers, the PDO guarantees both traceability and quality, with grapes meeting strict taste standards (thin skin, minimum Brix level of 17.2) and health requirements. Opinions differ about seeds, but Chasselas has never been questioned for its flavor. And let's not forget—it's a French grape, grown on family farms, with a far smaller carbon footprint than those shipped across oceans to reach supermarket shelves."

A promotional campaign celebrating the authenticity of Chasselas de Moissac PDO
The 2025 campaign builds on continuity while embracing a fresh visual and editorial identity. Its ambition is twofold: to sustain public attention over the long term and to reinforce engagement with Chasselas de Moissac. "This year, we want to assert more strongly and proudly what makes our product unique—its origin, its savoir-faire, and the values upheld by its growers. To do so, we've chosen to reveal the whole truth about Chasselas de Moissac PDO."

Truth #1. A French grape: "Aux grappes, citoyens!"
Truth #2. A grape of character: "All roads lead to aroma."
Truth #3. A hand-picked grape: "Picked by hand, enjoyed without end."
Truth #4. A gourmet grape: "With this grape, you'll never run out of juice."
Truth #5. A family grape: "Here, grapes are a family affair."

The campaign will be rolled out across digital platforms (Facebook and Instagram) with both static posts and producer-led videos. It promises strong visibility, with over one million impressions (campaign ad displays) and between 20,000 and 30,000 clicks directed to the campaign's dedicated page. This year, part of the promotion will also be supported by AOPN Raisin, helping to boost awareness of French grapes and encourage greater consumption.

A weekend of events to celebrate and promote Chasselas de Moissac PDO
For many years, the Syndicat de Défense du Chasselas de Moissac PDO has organized and taken part in events designed to raise awareness of the product and its many delights. On 13 and 14 September 2025, Chasselas de Moissac PDO will once again take center stage at the Moissac Fruits & Saveurs festival. Over the course of the weekend, visitors can wander through the stands of local producers and discover the authentic flavors of the Sites Remarquables du Goût. The Syndicat will also unveil its renowned traditional exhibition—a true highlight for local enthusiasts! There will be something for everyone: children and adults alike can enjoy the living farm presented by the 82 Cattle Breeders' Association, while La Paillole de Sept-Fonts invites you to get creative at its original hat-making workshop. And for the little ones, it's all about adventure—with a climbing wall and plenty of fun activities and games!

For more information:
Syndicat de Défense du Chasselas de Moissac PDO
Tel: 05 63 04 01 78