📍 Savoie

Savoie is a wine area in France, in the Alps, at the foot of Mont Blanc. Vineyards lie on mountain slopes and around lakes, usually at 250–500 metres. The climate is cool and mountainous, but south-facing slopes warm well. It is a historic region rather than a separate official zone.

Mostly fresh, light white wines are made here, as well as reds, rosés and sparkling wines. The main white grapes are Jacquère, Altesse (whose wine is called Roussette de Savoie), Roussanne (Bergeron), Chasselas and Gringet. Red grapes include Mondeuse Noire, Persan, Gamay and Pinot Noir. Well-known names are Vin de Savoie, Seyssel and Crépy. The wines are often drunk with local cheese dishes such as fondue and raclette.

Savoie belongs to French wine, but many of its grapes grow nowhere else. Bottles are often sold mainly on the spot and are little known abroad. It is an interesting area for those who like light wines with mountain freshness and a mineral touch.