Savoie

Question 1

What is the climate of Savoie?

Answer 1

Continental with alpine influences

Weather is extremely unpredictable

Question 2

Savoie is the south of which important lake?

Answer 2

Lake Geneva/Lac Leman

Question 3

Which 2 vine growing areas are planted on the rubble from the Mount Granier landslide?

Answer 3

Part of Apremont
All of Abymes

Question 4

What does the Centre d’Ampelographie Alpine Pierre Galet (CAAPG) do?

Answer 4

It seeks to rescue Savoie’s obscure native grape varieties from oblivion

Question 5

What kind of soil are Savoie’s vineyards planted on?

Answer 5

Glacial moraines

Question 6

How was Savoie’s wine industry resuscitated?

Answer 6

Winter tourists who came to ski in the 1960-70s

Question 7

What is Savoie’s most widely planted grape variety?

Answer 7

Jacquere

Question 8

What is a synonym for Roussanne in Savoie?

Answer 8

Bergeron

Question 9

Is Savoie’s wine production primarily red or white?

Answer 9

White

Question 10

What are the Dranse, Arve, Isere, Usses, and Ain?

Answer 10

Rivers

Question 11

The Savoie region is an important source for what plant material used throughout France?

Answer 11

Grafted grapevines

Question 12

What are the 2 most important red grapes of Savoie?

Answer 12

Mondeuse Noire
Gamay

Question 13

What are echalas?

Answer 13

A training system consisting of a single wooden stake

Question 14

What elevation are vineyards in Savoie planted at?

Answer 14

Below 500m due to increasing risk of frost

Question 15

How many AOCs does Savoie have?

Answer 15

Three

Question 16

Describe the Savoie/Vin de Savoie AOC.

Answer 16

Dry white, rose, red, sparkling white, sparkling rose

Any of the authorized grapes can be used, but most often is Jacquere for white and Gamay and/or Mondeuse for rose and red
Wines can be varietal or blends
White sparkling is Cremant de Savoie, made with Jacquere (and often Altesse)
Rose sparkling is mousseux

There are 16 DCGs that are commonly referred to as crus

AOC covers the entire grape growing area of the region

Question 17

Describe the Roussette de Savoie AOC.

Answer 17

Dry white wine only

100% Altese

There are 4 DCGs that are commonly referred to as crus

Covers same area as Savoie AOC

Question 18

Describe the Seyssel AOC.

Answer 18

Dry and sparkling white wines

Dry white wine labelled Seyssel AOC is 100% Altesse
Seyssel Molette is 100% Molette
Sparkling is a blend of Altesse and Molette

Question 19

Describe the Jacquere grape.

Answer 19

Hardy vine with consistent yields
Lightly perfumed, high acid, and hints of wildflower and citrus
Rarely achieves high sugar levels, making it suitable for Cremant de Savoie

Question 20

Describe the Altesse grape.

Answer 20

Produces low yields and is resistant to rot
Lively acid, full body, hints of honey and almond, spicy aromatics
Mainly used for still, dry wine, but can also be used in sparkling production

Question 21

Describe the Mondeuse (Noir) grape.

Answer 21

Was originally the most important Savoie grape variety before phylloxera, but is now trendy again
Can be used in red Savoie AOC, as varietal or part of blend

Question 22

Describe Cremant de Savoie.

Answer 22

Cremant de Savoie is a style within the Savoie AOC, and not an AOC itself

Min. 40% Jacquere
Up to 20% of principal reds can be included (if vinified as white)

Cremant de Savoie is white only
Sparkling Vin de Savoie rose is a rose wine