Our winegrowers from Savoy
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THE upcoming vineyard!
The Savoy vineyard is carried by the mountains and its valleys allowing a great variety; of soil, grape varieties and climate. For example, the Jacquère expresses itself perfectly in the Cluse of Chambéry, the Mondeuse in the Combe de Savoie, the Roussanne (or Bergeron) in the commune of Chignin, the Chasselas on the shores of Lake Geneva and the Gringet in the Arve valley. The denomination "Vins de Savoie" therefore extends over 4 departments: Savoie, Haute-Savoie, Ain and Isère but there are only 3 AOCs: Vins de Savoie, Roussette de Savoie and Seyssel. Most of the vines are planted between 250m and 500m above sea level. A multitude of grape varieties rub shoulders with, among others, Jacquère, Altesse, Roussanne, Gringet, Verdesse, Chardonnay and Chasselas for the whites. Mondeuse, Gamay, Persan, Douce Noire, Etraire de l'Adui and Pinot Noir for the reds. Several "forgotten" grape varieties are replanted again, benefiting today from beautiful maturities, in particular thanks to climate change and the correct management of the vineyard by the winegrowers who are attentive and motivated by the idea of promoting the magnificent soil of the Savoy vineyard .
How is a Savoy wine characterized?
Who hasn't tasted Savoy wines yet? Whether red wines or white wines from Savoy, we have all already tasted these wines from magnificent soils. The Savoy vineyard is carried by its mountains and its valleys which allow a great diversity of soil, grape varieties and climate. Formerly shunned, today adored by purists, the wines of Savoy are getting a makeover with all these winegrowers who are working to renew nature. Estates like Jean-François Quénard, or Gilles Berlioz, winegrowers who believe in their land, and everything that is being offered to them.
What are the grape varieties of Savoy wines?
The denomination "Vins de Savoie" extends over four departments: Savoie, Haute-Savoie, Ain and Isère, but there are only three AOC (controlled designation of origin): Vins de Savoie, Roussette of Savoie and Seyssel. We can also talk about the neighboring regions of the French Alps, such as the Grésivaudan Valley and Bugey. These are regions that are resurfacing in the world of natural wine thanks to passionate winegrowers, who magnify these lands by creating natural great wines. The soils are incredible due to their geographical location, the majority of the vines are planted between 250m and 500m above sea level. Sunny, warm days and cool nights are just what is needed to harvest high quality grapes. The grape varieties of Savoy wines are numerous and express themselves wonderfully according to the soil and the work of the winegrower. For the white wines of Savoy, there is Jacquère, Altesse, Roussanne, Gringet, Verdesse, Chardonnay and Chasselas. As for the red wines of Savoy, the grape varieties will be Mondeuse, Gamay, Persan, Douce Noire, Etraire de la Dhuy and Pinot Noir.
A certain number of forgotten grape varieties are planted again. They are now benefiting from beautiful maturities, due to climate change but also, thanks to the rigorous work of the winegrowers, who are motivated by the idea of promoting this magnificent soil of the Savoy vineyard.
Savoy dry white wine?
Savoy white wine alone is 70% of the Savoy vineyard. Much more present than the red wines of Savoie, the white grape varieties know how to express themselves through this mountainous landscape. For example, there is the Jacquère which shines in the Cluse of Chambéry, the Roussanne (or Bergeron) in the commune of Chignin, the Chasselas on the shores of Lake Geneva and the Gringet in the Arve valley. This diversity of soils offers a nice playground for winegrowers, a playground to fully express the flavors of these white grape varieties.
To discover the best expression of the Jacquère, taste Avant la Tempête from Mathieu Apffel, to get to know the aromas of the Altesse grape variety, go to the Ensemble bottle from the Côtes Rousses estate, aromatic and tense, everything we love at epi-curieux.com. Discover the talent of Jérémy Bricka as well as his Verdesse bottle to understand all the complexity of this grape variety. These artisan winegrowers offer you the possibility of traveling through Savoy thanks to all these natural wines with their unique expression. You will be reconciled with these white wines from Savoy, get out of the clichés and appreciate all this work.
Is Savoie wine a Raclette wine?
Savoie is often associated with winter, the mountains, but especially Raclette. But is it a myth? Is Savoie wine really made to be enjoyed with a raclette? And yes it is a myth, it is not a question of region but of association of flavors between raclette and wine. Savoy wines are not necessarily meant to be tasted with raclette, but you can always find bottles that go together perfectly. The grape varieties of Savoie wines being very diversified, we can find beautiful agreements with the silky, melting and comforting side of this mythical dish that is Raclette. To do this, you have to go for rather ample white wines, or light red wines, like a Gamay.
What to eat with Savoie wines?
The Epicurieux team would like to tell you that natural wine is enough on its own. And to drink it alone is to feel all the aromas of a grape variety, of a unique soil. But to pair Savoie wines such as a Mondeuse for example (taste that of Anne-Sophie and Jean-François Quénard, La Déroutante bottle), you can prepare Savoy diots with small vegetables. Or start your meal with an apetizer accompanied by the Jacquère d'Axel Domont, Kilometre 0, or with a fine fish. Savoie wines can be tasted alone or accompanied, white or red, you can enjoy yourself at any time. Freshness, fruitiness, finesse, explosion of flavors, etc. At Epicurieux we are convinced of the quality of these great soils and the know-how of these winegrowers.
