Savoy wines
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All about Savoie wine
Savoie wine, commonly called Savoie, is a wine that belongs to the controlled designation of origin AOC Vin de Savoie.
These wines come mainly from the departments of Savoie and Haute-Savoie. Some productions of the municipalities of Ain and Isère also bear this designation.
AOC Savoie wine
This controlled designation of origin is a regional designation covering all the fields of vineyards in Savoie or Savoyard vineyards and it comes in 16 geographical denominations .
Among these, we can distinguish the Abymes, Apremont, the Arbin, the Cruet, the Chignin, the Chignin Bergeron, the Crépy, the Marignan, the Montmélian, the Saint Jean de la Porte and the Saint Jeoire Prieuré.
The Savoie wine AOC was not recognized until 1973 and nearly 1,800 hectares of vineyards are registered . This field extends and is scattered over the 28 municipalities of Savoie, over the 20 municipalities of Haute-Savoie, over 2 municipalities of Ain and one municipality of Isère.
In the Savoie collection, there are red wines, white wines and rosé wines which are vinified still, perlant, sparkling and sparkling. Local grape varieties are grown on hillsides and most often on old glacial moraines or on scree .
In this region, the vineyards are found on mountains, valleys, near lakes, and rivers. They receive a continental climate which undergoes many influences, which makes a variety on the quality of the grapes.
The grape varieties in the fields
- the jackfruit
Jacquère is the most used grape variety for the production of Savoie wines and it is also the most widespread. They are found in the cluse de Chambéry, in Combe de Savoie, on the edges of Mont Granier and to the west of Lac du Bourget.
This grape variety gives wines with a pale color and brings a particular freshness and a slight pearling. Once in the bottle, the Jacquère leaves mineral notes and white flowers.
- highness
Altesse is also a grape variety used in the production of Savoyard white wine. It covers 10% of the vineyard and is used in the production of more complex wines. The wines produced from this grape variety can be kept for several years.
- Chasselas
Chasselas gives wines with aromas of fresh butter, toast and dried fruit. This variety is found throughout the Lake Geneva sector.
- The worlder
Mondeuse is a grape variety which is used in the production of Savoyard red wines , in particular for the crus of Arbin and Saint Jean de la Porte. It has the particularity of being very resistant and grows even on clay-limestone scree.
The mondeuse brings to the red wines of Savoy a very tannic side, a robustness and an aromatic richness.
The grape varieties for the production of Savoie wines
The red and rosé wines of Savoie are mainly made from Gamay N and Mondeuse N.
Some producers add Pinot Noir N to their wines. you can also see that among the wines that come from Savoy, we can read among the grape varieties Cabernet franc N, cabernet sauvignon N and persan N.
In Isère, some producers add Persian N, Etraire de la Dui N, Servanin N and Joubertin N.
The most used white grape varieties used in the production of Savoy white wines are Jacquère B, Mondeuse B and Altesse , also called Roussette de Savoie.
There are also small quantities of Aligoté B, Chardonnau B, early red Veltiner RS. To enhance the taste of their wines, some Haute-Savoie producers add Chasselas B, Gringet B and Roussette d'Ayze B.
In Isère, some producers allow blending with Marsanne B and Verdesse B. The white wines of Savoie represent more than 70% of production in this region .
Also discover our white Côtes du Rhône.
The wines of Savoie at the tasting
White wines composed mainly of Jacquère are most often lively, light and delicious. You will feel aromas of flowers, white fruits and even exotic fruits in the mouth.
Those that are composed of highness are more complex : at the base, they are very fine wines, but with age, they become more complex and the aromas can go on candied yellow fruits and honey.
Savoy white wine made from Roussanne is fresher and smoother . On the palate, the aromas develop delicate fruit flavors and hints of dried fruit.
The red wines of Savoie, composed mainly of Gamay and Pinot Noir, are more supple and delicious. At the opening of the bottle, as at the tasting, you will have notes of red fruits.
Red wine made from Mondeuse has a stronger character and is richer. When tasting, you may have a taste of strawberry, bigarreau, blackcurrant. When you leave the bottle in contact with the air, this wine can also develop notes of violets, pepper and sweet spices.
Over time, the red wines of Savoie composed of mondeuse are distinguished by their robust and velvety side.
A Savoyard wine at the table
Savor a red Savoy wine with a meat or game dish. This wine also creates a perfect match with Savoy products such as cheeses and cured meats.
You can enjoy a plate of Reblochon, Aravis parsley or Beaufort with a red wine from Savoie.
Open a bottle of Abymes Apremont white wine if you have a cheese-based dish such as raclettes or fondues at the table . You can also savor this wine with a dish based on freshwater fish prepared in meunière cooking, blue cheese or frying.
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