Savoie
Savoie’s continental climate is moderated by Lake
Bourget and the larger Lac Leman
Vineyards throughout the region are dispersed in this
mountainous land;, The flatter stretches of land near
the upper Rhône River and the lakeshores are
heavily planted. Savoie AOC is the region’s
overarching appellation. White grapes occupy a
majority of vineyards; Jacquère is the most common
grape but Altesse, Roussanne (Bergeron) and
Chardonnay produce higher-quality wines.
Gamay, Mondeuse, and Pinot Noir comprise a
majority of the red and rosé Vin de Savoie wines.
A number of lesser grapes are also permitted for all
three colours; the exact encépagement varies by
département. A number of villages have the right to add their names to the basic Vin de Savoie
AOC, and a more localized, communal encépagement will sometimes supersede the generic
appellation.
The cru Chignin-Bergeron produces 100% Roussanne wines exclusively, whereas the crus of
Marignan, Ripaille and Crépy—all located along the southern shores of Lake Geneva—require a
minimum 80% Chasselas.
The other regional appellation in Savoie is AC Roussette de Savoie. “Roussette” is a synonym for
the Altesse grape and the appellation’s wines are 100% varietal. Chardonnay is no longer allowed
as a blending grape. Four communes may attach their name to the appellation: Frangy, Marestel,
Monterminod, and Monthoux.
Seyssel AOC is to the north of Lake Bourget and provides dry and off-dry still and mousseux wines.
Still Seyssel wines are 100% Altesse, whereas the sparkling wines add Molette and Chasselas to a
minimum 10% Altesse.
Other sparkling wines in Savoie are produced as Vin de Savoie mousseux or pétillant, and sparkling
méthode ancestrale rosés may be found labelled as Bugey Cerdon.
Bugey—upgraded to AOC in May 2009—is to the west of Lake Bourget, and produces still wines of
all three colours in addition to the sparkling rosé Bugey-Cerdon.
The wines of Roussette de Bugey like Roussette de Savoie, are 100% Altesse. The communes
of Montagnieu and Virieu le Grand may add their names to this appellation.