The Wines of Savoie and Bugey

Savoie and Bugey are two alpine French vineyards with limited production that deserve our full attention. While Savoie may bring to mind snow vacations, fondue, and tartiflette, it is also a region offering high-quality wines with distinctive indigenous grape varieties. Explore our guide to discover the vineyards of Savoie and Bugey through their histories, appellations, grape varieties, and terroirs, and follow our advice for achieving the best food and wine pairings with the wines of Savoie and Bugey.

The History of Savoie and Bugey Wines

History of Savoie Wines

Although the production of cheese and wine in Savoie dates back to antiquity, these emblematic products of Savoie truly developed in the Middle Ages under the influence of the clergy. Starting in the 16th century, the vineyards expanded into high-altitude terroirs, as in the Valais region, at over 1000 meters. However, after the phylloxera crisis and both World Wars, the vineyard area gradually contracted to its current size of about 2200 hectares. With the rise of tourism, Savoie greatly improved the quality of its wines by reducing yields and incorporating various crus and local grape varieties into the appellation.

History of Bugey Wines

Bugey, once a Burgundian land in the Middle Ages, thrived thanks to monasteries and the nobility until the 19th century. After falling into decline, the Bugey region is experiencing a resurgence thanks to talented and passionate winemakers. Today, this small vineyard of just 500 hectares, scattered over steep slopes, benefits from AOC Bugey status. Within this appellation, red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines are produced, offering a great variety of styles and grape varieties.

The Climates and Terroirs of Savoie and Bugey

Savoie and Bugey feature a complex mosaic of microclimates spread across a vast geographical area, giving each plot a strong identity and unique style.

The Climate and Terroir of Savoie Wines

Savoie benefits from a mountainous climate, tempered by Mediterranean, oceanic, and continental influences. Temperature variations are mostly felt depending on the orientation and altitude of the vines. The terroir of Savoie mainly consists of alluvial soils, glacial moraines, scree slopes, and fluvial terraces.

The Climate and Terroir of Bugey Wines

Located on the southern part of the Jura massif, Bugey has an oceanic climate with abundant rainfall, hot summers, and cold winters. The soils of the Bugey region are predominantly limestone or clay-limestone, although some plots have gravelly, clay-siliceous, or molasse soils.

The Different Appellations of Savoie and Bugey

Savoie has three appellations:

• AOC Savoie or Vin-de-Savoie (White, red, rosé, and sparkling)
• AOC Roussette-de-Savoie (white)
• AOC Seyssel (still and sparkling white)

Within these appellations, the AOC Roussette-de-Savoie includes four crus:

• Roussette de Savoie “Frangy”
• Roussette de Savoie “Monterminod”
• Roussette de Savoie “Monthoux”
• Roussette de Savoie “Marestel”

The regional AOC Savoie also comprises sixteen geographical designations (or crus):

• Abymes (white)
• Apremont (white)
• Arbin (red)
• Ayze (white and sparkling)
• Chautagne (white and red)
• Chignin (white and red)
• Chignin-Bergeron (white)
• Crépy (white)
• Cruet (white)
• Jongieux (white and red)
• Marignan (white)
• Marin (white)
• Montmélian (white)
• Ripaille (white)
• Saint-Jean-de-la-Porte (red)
• Saint-Jeoire-Prieuré (white)

Bugey has two appellations:

• AOC Bugey (white, red, rosé, and sparkling, like the famous Cerdon)
• AOC Roussette-du-Bugey (white)

Additionally, there are four crus:

• Montagnieu
• Manicle
• Virieu-le-Grand
• Cerdon (sparkling rosé)

The Iconic Grape Varieties of Savoie and Bugey

Savoie and Bugey feature a wide variety of indigenous grape varieties, making the region’s wines truly unique.

Altesse (or Roussette)

Altesse (also known as Roussette) is an ancient white grape variety from Savoie, related to Chasselas. This iconic grape of the region is the sole authorized variety in the Roussette-de-Savoie appellation. Whether vinified alone or blended with other local grapes, Altesse brings a lot of roundness and body to the palate. With its characteristic aromas of hazelnut, apricot, and flowers, Altesse is appealing as both a still wine and a sparkling wine (as in AOP Seyssel), and it has good aging potential.

Mondeuse

Native to Savoie and Bugey, Mondeuse is a red grape variety that is both full-bodied and deeply colored, producing wines with long aging potential, especially in its preferred terroirs (crus Arbin, Saint-Jean-de-la-Porte, etc.). On the nose, Mondeuse offers a bouquet of black fruits (blackberry, blackcurrant), spices (clove), and roasted notes. On the palate, some cuvées are smooth and accessible when young, while others are more structured and built for long aging.

Jaquère

Jaquère is an essential grape of Savoie and Bugey, often paired with Savoie’s raclettes and fondues. This grape makes up the reputation of crus such as Apremont and Abymes. Pale in color with subtle aromas of white flowers (hawthorn, jasmine) and citrus (lemon), Jaquère is characterized by its freshness and vivacity.

Bergeron (or Roussanne)

While known as Roussanne in other French regions where it is often blended in certain white wines of the Rhône and Provence, in Savoie, Bergeron is vinified alone. Bergeron produces intense, rich white wines, with its best example being AOP Savoie Chignin-Bergeron. On the nose, Bergeron reveals a complex array of ripe fruit, spice, and linden notes. On the palate, this grape offers a remarkable balance between freshness and creamy texture.

Other Savoie and Bugey Grape Varieties

In addition to these typical local grape varieties, Savoie and Bugey vineyards also cultivate Chardonnay, Poulsard, Aligoté, Gamay, and Pinot. When grown in these mountain terroirs, these grapes express themselves differently than in other French regions.

Savoie and Bugey Wines: The Best Food and Wine Pairings

Savoie and Bugey Wines with a Starter

For a platter of mountain charcuterie, it’s the perfect opportunity to open a bottle from an AOP Savoie Arbin domaine made from Mondeuse. This wine’s intense notes of black fruits, spices, and smoke will surely enhance your charcuterie board. For pairing with frog legs in parsley sauce, opt for a Savoie or Bugey Chardonnay-based cuvée. Its aromas of white flowers and citrus will beautifully complement this delicate dish.

Savoie and Bugey Wines with a Main Course

Why not try a regional pairing by matching a tartiflette with farmhouse reblochon to a bottle from an AOP Savoie Chignin-Bergeron domaine? With its bouquet of yellow fruits, linden, and honeysuckle and its full, fresh palate, this wine will pair perfectly with this rich and flavorful dish. If you prefer raclette, opt for a bottle from an AOP Roussette-de-Savoie domaine with aromas of apricot and hazelnut. The minerality and balance of the Altesse grape will also pair excellently with this iconic dish and even with a veal blanquette when aged a bit.

Savoie and Bugey Wines with Dessert

For a cheese board before dessert, AOP Savoie wines are ideal. Choose a cuvée based on Jaquère, lively and light, which will accompany various types of cheese without overpowering them. For a berry Bavarian cake or a raspberry tart, nothing beats pairing it with a sparkling rosé from an AOP Bugey Cerdon domaine. Its fruity cherry and redcurrant notes, slight sweetness, and fine bubbles will complement all berry-based desserts beautifully.

With its varied local grape varieties, strong identity, and diverse cuvées, Savoie and Bugey are two confidential regions well worth exploring. On Avenue des vins, each wine is selected with the utmost care, and your bottles are available for delivery to your home, directly from the domaine or château of your choice. Whether you’re pairing your raclette with a Savoie wine or sampling a bottle from other French regions, discover our selection of wines at the best prices, delivered right to your door!