The vineyards of Savoie

The vineyards of Savoie occupy the foothills of the Prealps, bordering the Great Lakes of the region, Leman and Bourget, and running along the Isère and Arve rivers. Although the climate is often harsh, the Pre-Alps valley is protected by the Chartreuse and Bauges massifs, which provide favourable microclimates. Established on extremely scattered terroirs, Savoyard wines benefit from 20 communal denominations attributed to original terroirs: Apremont, Arbin, Chignin for the best known. As for Bugey, it occupies the southern part of the vineyard and wanders along the Rhône from Bourg- en-Bresse to Seyssel. In these two appellations, the white wine is largely dominant (70 %). The diversity of the grape varieties plays a fundamental role in obtaining original wines, as atypical as varied: the mineral Jacquère is the most widespread, followed by Altesse (or Roussette) to which two AOCs have been dedicated: Roussette de Savoie and Roussette de Bugey. Finally, Roussanne, or Bergeron, produces sublime wines for ageing (Chignin-Bergeron) that rival the other great French wines. In red, Montreuse is the grape variety of choice: surprisingly full-bodied with aromas of violets, blackcurrant and white pepper, the wines have a purple colour. In Bugey, it is the sparkling wines that are in the spotlight. There are also 4 terroir appellations, each dedicated to a grape variety: Mondeuse for Montagnieu, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for Manicle and Roussette for Virieu-le-Grand, and finally Gamay blended with the Jura Plousard for the sparkling rosé of Cerdon.