Wine treasures from the French Alps
Our selection of red wines from Savoie offers a fascinating glimpse into the still largely unexplored world of French Alpine winemaking. In this mountainous region on the border with Italy and Switzerland, where vineyards climb the steep slopes surrounding crystal-clear lakes and picturesque villages, wines of extraordinary originality and character are produced. The rugged landscape, mineral-rich morainic soils and continental climate with significant temperature variations between day and night produce reds of surprising freshness and aromatic complexity. Here, native grape varieties such as Mondeuse, Persan and Poulsard, together with Alpine interpretations of international varieties such as Pinot Noir and Gamay, find a unique expression, characterised by a marked minerality, an agile structure and an aromatic profile that captures the very essence of the mountainous territory.
Mondeuse: the red jewel of Savoy
The heart of Savoyard red wine production beats to the rhythm of Mondeuse, a native grape variety that represents the region's oenological emblem. Our selected labels perfectly express the different facets of this fascinating variety, which in its best interpretations produces wines with an intense colour and a complex bouquet of wild berries, violets, black pepper and subtle alpine herbaceous notes. The structure is supported by a fine but decisive tannic texture and a vibrant acidity that gives longevity and character. From the most renowned appellations such as Arbin, Chignin and Saint-Jean-de-la-Porte, we have selected both the more traditional versions that enhance the rusticity of the grape variety and the more modern and refined interpretations that highlight its elegance. Our collection also includes rare expressions of Persan, a variety that had almost disappeared but is now enjoying a well-deserved revival, and interesting Savoyard interpretations of Pinot Noir and Gamay, which take on a distinctive verticality and aromatic precision in this terroir.
High-altitude wines: freshness and alpine pairings
The reds of Savoy are the perfect expression of what we might call “high-altitude oenology”, where freshness, tension and aromatic precision prevail over power and concentration. This characteristic makes them extremely versatile at the table, particularly suited to accompanying Alpine cuisine with its robust cheeses such as Tome des Bauges and Raclette, smoked meats, mushroom dishes and white meats. Their natural acidity and agile structure make them surprisingly gastronomic, capable of balancing both the richness of traditional mountain dishes and the delicacy of more modern dishes. Our collection offers the opportunity to explore this fascinating wine region, still little known in Italy, where small, passionate producers, often operating according to organic or biodynamic principles, are carrying out valuable work to preserve native grape varieties and traditional techniques, while keeping a close eye on innovation and quality. Each bottle tells the story of heroic viticulture, where passion and dedication overcome the difficulties imposed by an impervious territory, producing wines of extraordinary authenticity and character.
