🥃 Marc du Bugey

Marc du Bugey is a protected EU geographical name for a spirit made from the marc of wines of the mountainous Bugey region (Ain), between Lyon and Savoie. It is made from PDO «Bugey» or «Roussette du Bugey» marc and must be aged in oak for at least three years, so there is no white version.

The zone consists of communes of Ain and a few communes of Savoie and Haute-Savoie. 11 grape varieties are allowed, including gamay, pinot, mondeuse, poulsard, chardonnay, altesse and jacquère. The climate is oceanic, with 1,100 to 1,300 mm of rain a year, long winters and warm summers. In 1830 to 1870 the vineyards of the Belley district exceeded 7,000 ha; after phylloxera the region revived from the 1950s.

Red-wine marc is placed without air within 24 hours, white and rosé within 6 hours. Distillation is by cascade only: up to 6 copper vessels of 600 l each and columns with up to 10 plates in total; it is finished by 31 March, and the distillate may not exceed 72% vol.

After three or more years in oak the marc is amber; the specification describes notes of cocoa, vanilla and coffee, and prune and dried fruit on the palate. Label mentions: «vieux» or «VS» from 5 years, «VSOP» from 8, «XO» from 10. The rules appeared in the decrees of 8 April 1947 and 17 August 1950, and the name has been protected in the EU since 12 June 1989 (PGI-FR-02025).

Why this matters to you. Even the youngest Marc du Bugey has already had three years of ageing. A grape variety may not be written on the label. WHO reminds: there is no safe dose of alcohol.