Rhone-Valley (France)

Savoie: A Hidden Gem for Wine Lovers Nestled in the French Alps, Savoie offers a unique wine experience with its alpine terroir and indigenous grape varieties. This picturesque region combines stu

ing mountain landscapes with crisp white wines and intriguing reds. Wine Regions Ampuis and Condrieu Between Montélimar and Orange East and South of Orange North and West of Avignon Northern Rhône Southern Rhône Tain-l'Hermitage Towns and Villages Explore charming alpine towns that serve as gateways to Savoie's wine country: Chambéry: The historic capital, known for its medieval old town and proximity to vineyards Aix-les-Bains: A lakeside resort town with thermal baths and easy access to wine routes Albertville: Former Winter Olympics host, now a jumping-off point for wine tours Wine Producers Visit these notable Savoie wineries for tastings and tours: Domaine Jean-Pierre et Jean-François Quénard in Chignin: Renowned for their Bergeron (Roussa

e) wines Domaine Dupasquier in Jongieux: Family-run estate producing excellent Mondeuse reds André et Michel Quenard in Chignin: Offering a wide range of Savoie's indigenous varieties Accommodations Stay close to the vineyards in these wine-friendly lodgings: Château de Candie in Chambéry: A 14th-century castle with its own vineyard Hôtel Ombremont-Le Palace de Menthon in Menthon-Saint-Bernard: Luxury lakeside hotel with an extensive wine cellar La Ferme de Canaison in Apremont: Charming B&B surrounded by vineyards Dining Savor local cuisine paired with Savoie wines at these restaurants: La Table de l'Ours in Val d'Isère: Michelin-starred restaurant with an impressive Savoie wine list L'Atelier d'Edmond in Val d'Isère: Another Michelin-starred option featuring local ingredients and wines Le Bistrot du Moulin in Chambéry: Casual dining with a focus on regional specialties and wines Wine Shops & Bars Discover Savoie's wine scene at these specialty shops and bars: La Cave du Lac in Aix-les-Bains: Extensive selection of local wines and knowledgeable staff Le Vin des Alpes in Chambéry: Wine bar offering tastings and small plates Cave Buscoz in Albertville: Family-run shop with a wide range of Savoie wines Other Shops Complement your wine experience with local products: Les Caves d'Affinage de Savoie in Chambéry: Artisanal cheese shop perfect for wine pairings La Cure Gourmande in Aix-les-Bains: Traditional French sweets and biscuits Le Comptoir Savoyard in Albertville: Regional specialties and gourmet products Attractions Explore Savoie's cultural and natural wonders between wine tastings: Château des Ducs de Savoie in Chambéry: Historic castle with guided tours Lac du Bourget: France's largest natural lake, perfect for water activities Abbaye d'Hautecombe: 12th-century abbey with stu

ing lake views Events Time your visit with these wine-centric events: Salon des Vins de Savoie (April): Annual wine fair in Chambéry showcasing local producers Fête des Vendanges (September): Harvest celebrations in various Savoie villages Marché de Noël (December): Christmas markets featuring mulled wine and local specialties Appellations Familiarize yourself with Savoie's wine regions: Vin de Savoie AOC: The main appellation covering most of the region Roussette de Savoie AOC: Focused on the Altesse grape variety Crépy AOC: A small appellation near Lake Geneva producing white wines Grape Varieties Savoie's unique alpine terroir nurtures distinctive grape varieties. The region's cool climate and mountainous landscape shape the character of its wines. Jacquère: Light-bodied white grape, produces crisp, mineral-driven wines Altesse: Also known as Roussette, creates complex whites with aging potential Mondeuse: Red variety yielding spicy, aromatic wines Gamay: Produces light, fruity reds similar to Beaujolais Pinot Noir: Elegant reds with delicate flavors Main Wine Styles Savoie wines reflect the region's alpine character, offering freshness and minerality. The diverse styles cater to various palates. Crisp Whites: Jacquère-based wines with high acidity and citrus notes Complex Whites: Altesse wines with stone fruit flavors and aging potential Light Reds: Gamay and Pinot Noir wines with red fruit and floral aromas Bold Reds: Mondeuse wines with dark fruit, spice, and herbal notes Sparkling: Méthode traditio

elle wines, both white and rosé Food Specialties Savoie's cuisine perfectly complements its wines. The region's hearty dishes showcase local ingredients and Alpine influences. Fondue Savoyarde: Melted cheese dish with Comté, Beaufort, and Emmental Raclette: Melted cheese scraped onto potatoes, charcuterie, and pickles Tartiflette: Potato gratin with Reblochon cheese, bacon, and onions Diots: Local pork sausages often served with white wine sauce Génépi: Herbal liqueur made from alpine wormwood Drives & Walks Exploring Savoie's vineyards and landscapes offers breathtaking views. Combine wine tasting with outdoor activities for a memorable experience. Scenic Drives Route des Vins de Savoie: Winding road through picturesque wine villages Col de l'Iseran: Highest paved mountain pass in the Alps Lac du Bourget Loop: Circular drive around France's largest natural lake Vineyard Walks Apremont: Easy trails with views of Mont Blanc Chignin: Hike through terraced vineyards to medieval towers Jongieux: Gentle paths overlooking the Rhône Valley Itineraries Plan your Savoie wine adventure with these curated itineraries. Each route combines wine tasting, local cuisine, and scenic beauty. 3-Day Wine Explorer Day 1: Aix-les-Bains (wine tasting, lakeside relaxation) Day 2: Chignin and Arbin (vineyard tours, medieval ruins) Day 3: Jongieux and Seyssel (wine caves, sparkling wine tasting) 5-Day Gourmet Journey Day 1-2: Chambéry (old town, Château des Ducs de Savoie) Day 3: Apremont and Les Marches (wine tasting, cheese farms) Day 4: Chapareillan (Chartreuse distillery, mountain hikes) Day 5: Annecy (lake cruise, local markets, wine bars) Getting There & Around Savoie is easily accessible by various modes of transportation. The region's well-co

ected infrastructure makes exploring its wine country a breeze. By Air Geneva Airport (GVA): Closest international airport, 1-hour drive to Annecy Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS): 1.5-hour drive to Chambéry Chambéry Airport (CMF): Small regional airport with limited flights By Train TGV: High-speed trains co

ect Paris to Annecy and Chambéry in ~3.5 hours Regional trains: Serve smaller towns and villages throughout Savoie By Car Renting a car offers flexibility for exploring vineyards and rural areas. Major routes include: A41: Co

ects Geneva to Chambéry A43: Links Lyon to Chambéry Best Time to Visit Savoie's wine region offers unique experiences year-round. Each season brings its own charm and activities. Spring (April-June) Mild weather: Perfect for vineyard walks and outdoor tastings Fewer crowds: Enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere at wineries Summer (July-August) Warm temperatures: Ideal for lakeside activities and al fresco dining Festivals: Experience local wine and food events Fall (September-November) Harvest season: Witness grape picking and wine production Autumn colors: Stu

ing vineyard landscapes Winter (December-March) Skiing: Combine wine tasting with winter sports Cozy tastings: Enjoy wines in warm, inviting cellars Sustainability Efforts Savoie's winemakers are increasingly adopting eco-friendly practices. These initiatives aim to preserve the region's unique terroir and environment. Organic Farming Certified organic producers: Look for "Agriculture Biologique" labels Biodynamic practices: Some vineyards follow holistic farming methods Water Conservation Drip irrigation: Efficient water use in vineyards Rainwater collection: Sustainable water management systems Energy Efficiency Solar panels: Renewable energy use in wineries Gravity-flow systems: Energy-saving wine production methods Language Tips While English is widely spoken in tourist areas, learning a few French phrases enhances your wine tasting experience. Essential Wine Vocabulary Dégustation: Wine tasting Vin blanc/rouge/rosé: White/red/rosé wine Santé: Cheers! Cave: Wine cellar Millésime: Vintage Useful Phrases Je voudrais goûter ce vin: I would like to taste this wine Pouvez-vous me recommander un vin?: Can you recommend a wine? C'est délicieux: It's delicious Further Resources Enhance your Savoie wine journey with these additional resources. They offer in-depth information on the region's wines, culture, and attractions. Websites Vin de Savoie: Official site for Savoie wines Savoie Mont Blanc Tourism: Regional tourism informatio