AOC Roussette de Savoie

Roussette de Savoie has only one grape, Altesse, so its style shifts with the site. The vineyards sit in scattered patches along the Alpine piedmont, shaped by slope, sun exposure and nearby lakes, and four named sites can be added to the appellation name on the label, each with its own soil.

Frangy, Marestel, Monterminod, Monthoux: Four Hillsides for Altesse

Frangy is the only one of the four in Haute-Savoie. It takes in Frangy, a small town in the Usses valley, and the neighboring villages of Chaumont and Desingy. The vines there grow on molasse, marine sediment left by the erosion of the Alps in the Tertiary period.

The other three are in Savoie. West of Lac du Bourget, Marestel (Jongieux and Lucey) and Monthoux (Saint-Jean-de-Chevelu) rest on Upper Jurassic marl and limestone, older rocks that surface here and there. Monterminod, in Saint-Alban-Leysse on the edge of Chambéry, sits on scree that piled up at the foot of the slopes after the glaciers retreated.

Picked at fuller ripeness, Marestel gives a broader palate, while Frangy, Monterminod and Monthoux lean toward floral aromas. For these four names, the appellation sets the yield at 60 hectoliters per hectare (about 640 gallons per acre), against 64 for Roussette de Savoie without a site name. A lighter crop gives Altesse more time to ripen.

History of the AOC Roussette de Savoie

Over the centuries, the wines of the Savoie region have gained a growing reputation, and the AOC Roussette de Savoie was officially recognized in 1973. While viticulture was introduced during the Roman Empire, it truly flourished in the Middle Ages thanks to the monks of the Savoyard monasteries.

Climate and Terroir of the AOC Roussette de Savoie

Climate: The vineyards of AOC Roussette de Savoie stretch across the steep slopes of the mountains, benefiting from a unique terroir that combines mountain and continental climates with Mediterranean and oceanic influences.

Soils: The terroir of the AOC Roussette de Savoie consists mainly of clay-limestone soils, mixed with limestone scree and glacial moraines.

The Altesse Grape: Essential to the AOC Roussette de Savoie

Altesse, also known as Roussette, is the emblematic grape variety of the AOC Roussette de Savoie. This white grape is renowned for its natural acidity, which brings freshness and liveliness to the wines. It offers delicate aromas of white flowers, hazelnut, and white fruits (pear, apricot, lemon), and a balanced palate with both freshness and roundness.

Style of AOC Roussette de Savoie Wines

Appearance: Pale yellow with golden highlights.

Nose: Typically, AOC Roussette de Savoie white wines reveal delicate floral aromas, accompanied by notes of citrus, dried fruits (almond, hazelnut), and yellow and white fruits.

Palate: On the palate, they are generous and rich while maintaining a beautiful mineral tension and a persistent finish.

Serving Temperature: 10°C-13°C (50°F-55°F)

Aging Potential: 2 to 5 years (or more for a good estate and vintage)

Best Food Pairings with AOC Roussette de Savoie Wines

Here are some ideas for dishes to accompany a white wine from a fine estate in AOC Roussette de Savoie:

Traditional Raclette:

• The rich, melted cheese pairs beautifully with the fresh acidity and floral notes of the wine.

Savoyard Fondue:

• The wine's minerality and acidity cut through the richness of the cheese, enhancing the dish.

Pan-Seared Scallops:

• The wine's citrus and white fruit notes complement the delicate flavor of the scallops.

Veal Blanquette:

• The wine's balance of freshness and roundness works well with the creamy, savory veal dish.

Hard Cheeses like Beaufort or Comté:

• The nutty and complex flavors of these cheeses pair excellently with the wine's hazelnut and white fruit aromas.

Roussette de Savoie FAQ: Marestel, Sugar and Villages

Where does the name Marestel come from in Roussette de Savoie?

Marestel, a named site within Roussette de Savoie, takes its name from Claude Mareste, an adviser to Duke Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy, ennobled in 1563. Altesse, recorded in Savoie as early as the 14th century, first took root on these slopes, then terraced, and its wine was kept for princes’ tables.

How much sugar can a Roussette de Savoie contain?

A Roussette de Savoie may contain no more than 8 grams of sugar per liter, and no more than its total acidity plus 2 grams, which makes it a dry white wine. Frangy, Marestel, Monterminod and Monthoux follow the same limit, and the appellation makes neither sparkling nor sweet wines.

How many villages does Roussette de Savoie cover?

Roussette de Savoie covers 52 villages in Savoie, Haute-Savoie and a strip of northern Isère. Its vineyards curve along the edge of the Alpine ranges, from Thonon-les-Bains in the north to west of Albertville, by way of southern Chambéry and the Combe de Savoie.

Where can you buy Roussette de Savoie direct from the winemaker?

You can buy Roussette de Savoie direct from the winemaker on Avenue des Vins. The wine comes to you directly from the producer who made it.

See also: AOC Vin de Savoie - White wines from Savoie - AOC Bugey