Savoie [sa-VWAH]
wine district located in eastern France very close to the Swiss border near Lake Geneva. Vineyards are scattered throughout the area, stretching south toward Grenoble. The main appellations in the area are Vin de Savoie, Vin de Savoie mousseux, crépy, Roussette de Savoie, and Seyssel. Vin de Savoie, the area’s main appellation, is for dry wines—white, red, and rosé. The grapes for red wines are Gamay, Mondeuse, and Pinot Noir. Many wine aficionados prefer the Mondeuse-based wines. White wines make up 75 percent of the production. They’re made primarily from Jacquère, but Aligoté, Altesse, Chardonnay, and Chasselas are also used. The Vin de Savoie mousseux AC is for sparkling wines made from Altesse, Molette, and Chardonnay. The Roussette de Savoie AC is for dry white wines made mainly from the Altesse variety (locally called Roussette), with small amounts of Chardonnay and Mondeuse Blanche. There are sixteen cru villages in the Savoie, all of which have higher standards than those of the Vin de Savoie AC and Roussette de Savoie AC and may append their name to either of these appellations if their wines meet these higher criteria.
The New Wine Lovers Companion, 2nd Edition, by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Copyright © (1) 2003, 1995 by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Reprinted by arrangement with Barron's Educational Series, Inc.