Wine Journey Log: Savoie

Forget everything you know about Savoie wines. Especially the one you bought on a ski trip—the one that made you cringe so badly you still remember it.

Savoie: The Kingdom of Native Grape Varieties

2,100 hectares. The soils of Savoie are quite varied; there are stony soils formed by erosion known as glacial moraines. In fact, the freezing and thawing of glaciers breaks down the rock and carries away the debris. Granite and schist are also part of the landscape. The vineyards are located around Chambéry on the slopes of the Isère and around Aix-les-Bains, shaped by the Rhône River. For red wines, the grape varieties include Mondeuse (the region’s signature), Gamay, and Pinot Noir. For whites, Jacquère, Roussane (Chignin-Bergeron), and Altesse (AOC Roussette de Savoie) are featured. I’ve discovered a great interest in Persan, which I personally find to be highly complex (an aromatic blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay).

There are four appellations: Vin de Savoie and Roussette de Savoie account for the bulk of the vineyards, along with two smaller appellations, Seyssel and Crépy. Nineteen crus may add their names to those of the two main appellations: Arbin, Ripaille, Marin, Marignan, Ayze, Frangy, Chautagne, Jongieux, Chignin, Apremont, Abymes, Marestel, Monthoux, Monterminod, Saint-Jeoire-Prieuré, Cruet, Montmélian, Saint-Jean-de-la-Porte, and Chignin-Bergeron.

Wines of Savoie: high-quality wines produced in small quantities

The vineyards are generally small, and the plots are well-managed. You can sense the winemakers’ deep commitment to producing quality wines through their respect for the terroir and the vineyard. Many young winemakers share this philosophy. The wines of this region have a unique profile: limited production, and distribution that is restricted and highly local.

My favorite spots in Savoie

Domaine Giachino
Mondeuse
Ma Douce

Jean François Quénard
Persan

Thomas Finot
Persan