View source for Savoy wine

[[Image:Cartes des vins de france.png|right|300px|thumb|Wine region map]]
'''Savoy''' is a [[wine]] region situated in the [[Savoy]] region in eastern [[France]], and is sometimes referred to as the country of the [[Allobroges]].

The Savoy landscape is distinctly [[Alpine climate|alpine]]. Between lakes and mountains, the Savoy [[vineyard]]s hang from slopes or clutch at hillsides in little islands that produce their special growth, from Fréterive in the South, to Evian in the North, passing through Apremont and Jongieux.

With [[grape]] varieties [[Jacquère]], [[Roussanne]], [[Altesse]] (also known as Roussette) and [[Gringet]] for white wines, and [[Mondeuse]] for the reds, Savoie is characterised by a number of varieties which are very rare elsewhere.

The Savoyard appellations (labels) are distributed through four [[Departments of France|departments]]: [[Haute-Savoie]], [[Ain]], [[Isère]] and [[Savoie]]. [[Crépy AOC|Crépy]] near Lake Geneva and [[Seyssel, Ain|Seyssel]] in the Ain are easy to locate. But wines labelled [[Roussette de Savoie]] and [[Vin de Savoie]] can come from anywhere in the wine growing area, unless the label display the name of a village in addition to the [[appellation]]. There are 4 Roussette villages: [[Frangy]], [[Monthoux]], [[Marestel]] and [[Monterminod]]. And there are no fewer than 17 "Vin de Savoie" villages, the most well known being [[Apremont, Savoie|Apremont]], [[Chignin]], [[Chautagne]] and [[Arbin, Savoie|Arbin]].

==AOC wines==
[[File:Chignin Bergeron 2007 in glass.jpg|thumb|left|A Chignin Bergeron wine.]]

*Chignin Bergeron - Chignin-Bergeron [[Cru (wine)|cru]] of the [[Vin de Savoie]] appellation in the [[Savoie]] region of eastern France. The name is taken from the village of [[Chignin]]. Bergeron is the local name of the [[Roussanne]] grape variety, from which Chignin-Bergeron wines are made. To be called "Chignin-Bergeron," the grapes must come from vineyards in the [[Francin]], [[Montmelian]] and Chignin communes.<ref>Wine Searcher. [http://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-savoie+chignin-bergeron Savoie Chignin-Bergeron Wine].</ref>
*Chignin - Chignin is another cru of the Vin de Savoie appellation also named after the village of Chignin. These white wines are made from [[Jacquere]] grapes and are dry and light. They are less well known than the other Roussanne white wines, sold as Chignin-Bergeron.<ref>Wine Searcher. [http://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-savoie+chignin Savoie Chignin Wine].</ref>
*Roussette de Savoie Monterminod - One of the four named crus of the [[Roussette de Savoie]] appellation, Monterminod is located above the village of [[Saint-Alban-Leysse]] in Savoie. The name "Monterminod" is permitted as part of the appellation title. Monterminod and the other three Roussette de Savoie crus are each distinct in character. Monterminod is the most southerly, with Frangy 30 miles (48&nbsp;km) north. Monthoux and Marestel are roughly halfway in between. The sunny exposure of the steep, rapidly drained south-facing slope give Monterminod an advantage in the cool, [[alpine climate]]. Their elevation makes them less susceptible to low-lying frosts and they are sheltered from extreme weather by the surrounding peaks rising to more than 4000&nbsp;ft (1220m). The wines of Monterminod and the other three crus are subject to stringent production conditions, including lower maximum yield and higher minimum alcohol levels than basic Roussette de Savoie wines.<ref>Wine Searcher [http://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-roussette+de+savoie+monterminod Roussette de Savoie Monterminod Wines].</ref>

==Other grapes and wines==
[[Image:French taste of wines.JPG|thumb|right|Wines from Savoy]]
*Altesse - Second fermentation of a dry white Jacquère with an Altesse (Roussette)-based liqueur.
*Pinot gris - Grape variety for white wine, muted of the Pinot noir. The skin of this grape has a color that can vary from almost black to white and from pale blue to pink. The color of the wine can also have a hint of pink.
*Mondeuse - Mondeuse is a red wine with bluish tones.
*Mondeuse d’Arbin - Mondeuse d’Arbin is also a red wine from Mondeuse with intense red deep color.
*Pinot noir - Pinot is a wine with a high alcohol content (12 to 13°) and a scarlet raisin color.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.chez.com/vinsavoie/Carte2.jpg Local map]
* [http://www.tourisme.fr/vins-de-savoie/e-index.htm Savoie wines]

[[Category:Wine regions of France]]
[[Category:Savoy]]