DISCOVER THE SAVOIE - A WHITE WINE LOVER'S PARADISE FOR REFRESHING SUMMER SIPPING

Last week’s post was for the big red-lovers out there. And as much as I'm down for a juicy glass of Carménère during grilling days, sometimes I just want to sip something fresh. When it’s hot AF outside, the wines of the Savoie are about as welcome as a fresh mountain breeze.

This French wine region has been ignored on an international scale until fairly recently, and was one of those, “best kept secrets” for hipster somms and wine geeks alike. Yet with all that in mind, the Savoie is starting to gain some traction as a globally recognized wine region.

Sandwiched between France, Italy and Switzerland, this alpine wine region is quite cosmopolitain. Though mostly white wines get the hype in the Savoie - and are pretty inexpensive to boot - the Savoie also produces airy, berrylicious reds that are light on their feet yet full of intensity.

Fans of the Côtes du Jura, Switzerland, and the Northern Rhône are going to vibe hardcore with the Savoie. So let’s get started and chat all about the history of the place and what kind of grapes to look for when you’re picking up a bottle from this region out in the wild!

THE HISTORY OF THE SAVOIE

The Savoie is situated in the French alps and bordered by the Rhône River and Lac Leman. It was originally inhabited by a Celtic tribe called the Allobroges, who brought vines with them and were making wine during the first century. Eventually, they were defeated by the Romans in 120AD, the tribe was incorporated into Gaul.

This portion of the country changed hands many times throughout the ages. It was incorporated into the Frankish kingdom, then affiliated with the Kingdom of Sicily and eventually traded to Sardinia. The country’s Italian is still around today, and you can see ruins of old Italian architecture.

In 1889, a vine louse, phylloxera devastated the area and just a quarter of the vines survived. After the French Revolution, farmers eventually owned their land and spent the majority of the time tending their vines and have been doing so ever since.

THE WHITE GRAPES OF THE SAVOIE

JAQUERE - FOR SAVVY B LOVERS

Jaquere is the Savoie’s most popular grape, and it’s highly likely this is the grape you’ll be running into out in the wild. With loads of fresh and grassy aromas, this higher-yielding herbaceous AF grape channels major citrus and pear vibes as well. Consider it a juicy, light and acidic Summer porch pounder.

ALTESSE - FOR CHARDY FANS

For folks who love their whites more on the complicated side, Altesse is a perfect option. This grape ripens later, and is typically oaked in the region. There’s plenty of acid in Altesse, and sometimes it takes on nuttier characteristics with a bit of oak aging. It’s definitely “bigger,” than Jaquere and is more of a “statement wine.”

GRINGET - A MUST TRY

If you’re all about “esoteric,” white grapes like Müller Thurgau and such, Gringet will be your jam. There are only a few hectares of Gringet in the entire world that are grown by the late Dominique Belluard in the Savoie. Gringet is like drinking a glass of crisp, mountain air. It’s so light and otherworldly it’s almost indescribable.

OTHER WHITE GRAPES

The Savoie is also home to other white grapes like Rousanne, a white grape popular in the Southern and Northern Rhône and Chasselas, a grape that is quite popular in Switzerland.

RED GRAPES OF THE SAVOIE

MONDEUSE - FOR AROMATIC RED DRINKERS

Brambly, intense and aromatic AF, Mondeuse is a show stopping red that hails from the Savoie region. This grape is acidic and bright, yet has loads of structure as well. In terms of body, it’s more similar to Pinot Noir or Gamay than it is to an enormously tannic wine like Cabernet Sauvignon. Picture loads of blackberry aromas, with a cool mineral through line.

PERSAN - FOR STRUCTURED RED FANS

If you’re one of those people who loves those “big, tannic reds,” you should try to get ahold of Persan. Person is extremely hard to find, partially because this grape is extremely finicky in the vineyard. Truth be told, even I have yet to get my hands on some. Like Mondeuse, this wine channels major dark berry vibes - it just has a bit more grip.

REGIONS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN THE SAVOIE

The Savoie is pretty small, and is home to 3 appellations, which keeps it pretty easy and straight forward. Let’s touch on them briefly.

VIN DE SAVOIE

This is the most common AOP you’ll run into in the wild, because it is home to the most crus (or growths) in the region. White, red, rosé and sparkling wines have this classification.

ROUSSETTE DE SAVOIE AOP

The Roussette de Savoie AOP is home to wines made exclusively from Altesse grapes.

SEYSSEL AOP

The Seysell AOP is known for yielding white and sparkling wines. Often Altesse and the Swiss grape Chasselas are used within the region.

PICK OF THE WEEK: André & Michel Quenard Chignin Mondeuse Vieilles Vignes $26.99 @ Mission Wine and Spirits

Syrah and Right Bank Merlot-lovers are going to fall head over heels for this expression of Mondeuse. Dark and brambly AF, with plenty of herbs and minerality. The tannins are out of control on this wine - but in a really good way. Consider pairing it with any and all summer grilling staples, grilled meats, and pork-based dishes will vibe beautifully with this dish.

The Mondeuse has plenty of smoky vibes in this wine as well and is dark and brooding - much like a Syrah from the Northern Rhône. Expect more dark black fruit, like plums and ripe blackberries over savory flavors like olives. Angled and sharp, this rugged wine is just what you need when you want something that’s a little wild - but in a good way.