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French Wine Scholar > Savoie > Flashcards

Savoie Flashcards

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1
Q

How old is Savoie’s modern wine industry?

A

60 years old

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2
Q

How much of Savoie’s wine production is sold in France?

A

95%

Most is sold is Savoie on the ski slopes.

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3
Q

How many authorized grape varieties are there in Savoie?

A

More than 20

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4
Q

What is Vitis Allobrogica?

A

An ancient vine native to the Savoie area that was tended by the Allobroges tribe. The Romans gave it this name. Experts believe it to be the forerunner of Mondeuse.

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5
Q

What is Abimes/Abymes de Myans?

A

Translating to “abyss”, this is the name given to a landslide that occurred in 1248. After heavy & prolonged rains, a mass of limestone sheared away from Mont Granier and initiated a rockfall and mudslide that completely obliterated 5 villages at it base. The destruction spanned 9.65mi/25km. The land was not clear and replanted to the vine until the 1700s.
Part of Apremont’s and all of Abymes’ vineyards are planted atop the Mont Granier landslide.

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6
Q

What percentage of France’s current supply of grafted grapevines comes from Savoie nurseries?

A

20%

Approx. 30 million each year.

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7
Q

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

A

An organization that has been working to preserve Savoie’s viticultural heritage. They propogate rare and obscure Alpine grapes and successfuly lobby to get them listed on the French register of grape varieties so that they can be legally planted.
However, to date, these grapes are restricted as to where they can be planted and in their percentage of the blend.

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8
Q

Who is Pierre Galet?

A

He was a renowned French ampelographer and author whose physical evaluation of the grapevine assisted in identifying many varieties in the days before genetic analysis.

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9
Q

Where is Savoie located?

A

This region is in eastern France, south of Switzerland and Lake Geneva (Lac Leman). It lies southeast of Jura, east of Lyon and Bugey and northeast of the northern Rhone Valley.
Many of its vineyards lie along the eastern flank of the Rhone River as it flows out of Lake Geneva en route to the Mediterranean Sea.

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10
Q

What is the climate in Savoie?

A

Continental with alpine influences.

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11
Q

What is the weather in Savoie throughout the seasons?

A

Weather is extremely unpredictable:
* Summer: long periods of rain are common; daytime temperatures can be very high
* Autumn: harvest is often sunny & dry
* Temperatures are at the lower viable range throughout the year

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12
Q

What topographical features in Savoie contribute to a wide range of mesoclimates?

A
  • Mountains: cool air descending from mountain peaks creates substantial diurnal temperature swings.
  • Valleys
  • Lakes
  • Vineyard aspects
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13
Q

Name the rivers of Savoie.

A
  • Dranse
  • Arve
  • Usses
  • Isere
  • Ain
  • Rhone
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14
Q

What elevation are the vineyards of Savoie planted at?

A

Between 820-1,312ft/250-400m.

Vineyards rarely exceed 1,640ft/500m in elevation due to risk of frost.
The majority are south- or southeast-facing to maximize sunlight and warmth.

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15
Q

Name the white grapes of Savoie.

A
  • Jacquere
  • Altesse
  • Chasselas
  • Roussanne
  • Molette
  • Gringet
  • Chardonnay
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16
Q

What are the characteristics of the Jacquere grape variety?

A
  • vine is hardy
  • consistently high yields
  • grapes rarely achieve high sugar levels (a positive attribute for crafting cremant)
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17
Q

Altesse is the main variety used in which AOCs?

A
  • Roussette de Savoie AOC
  • Seyssel AOC
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18
Q

What style is the Altesse variety mostly vinified into?

A

Dry, still wines.

But can also be used for sparkling wine production.

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19
Q

Where in Savoie are most of the Chasselas planting found?

A

Haute-Savoie, in the vineyards situated along the southern side of Lake Geneva (Lac Leman), where it dominates the plantings (70%).
In all of Savoie, it only represents 4.5% of the total area under vine.

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20
Q

Where in Savoie will you find plantings of Roussanne?

A

Chignin, where it is bottled as the cru Chignin-Bergeron.

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21
Q

What is the Roussane grape called in Chignin?

A

Bergeron

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22
Q

How is the Molette grape variety used in the wines of Savoie?

A

It is traditionally incorporated into the sparkling wines of Seyssel.

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23
Q

Rank the grape varieties grown in Savoie from widest to least planted.

A
  1. Jacquere (50%)
  2. Gamay (13.6%)
  3. Mondeuse (13.6%)
  4. Altesse (9.1%)
  5. Chasselas (4.6%)
  6. Roussane (3.6%)
    Other (5.5%)
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24
Q

Where in Savoie is the Gringet variety cultivated?

A

This indigenous variety is exclusively cultivated in the cru village of Ayze.
Only 50ac/20ha are planted.

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25
Q

What style of wine is the Gringet variety used to produce in Savoie?

A

Mainly for sparkling wine production.

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26
Q

How prominent is the Chardonnay variety in Savoie?

A

It is found across the region, but only in small quantities.

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27
Q

Name the red grape varieties of Savoie.

A
  • Mondeuse Noire (Mondeuse)
  • Gamay
  • Pinot Noir
  • Persan
28
Q

Which Savoyard variety was the most important variety before phylloxera, but is becoming trendy once again?

A

Mondeuse Noire (Mondeuse)

29
Q

What wines include Mondeuse Noire in Savoie?

A
  • Red Savoie AOC (varietal or blend)
  • cru of Arbin (only grape permitted)
  • cru of Saint-Jean-de-la-Porte (only grape permitted)
30
Q

How long has the Gamay grape been planted in Savoie?

A

Since the 18th century.

31
Q

What styles of wine are produced from the Gamay variety in Savoie?

A
  • red
  • rose
  • rose sparkling
32
Q

What is the role of Pinot Noir in Savoie?

A

It is planted in small quantities and is made into red Savoie AOC.

33
Q

What is important about the Persan variety?

A

This traditional Savoyard grape variety almost died out, but is undergoing a renaissance.

34
Q

What vine training methods are used in Savoie?

A
  • Echalas (single stake): common for Mondeuse, but is also used for Roussane and Altesse: used for steeper slopes
  • Guyot/more modern training methods: used on less steep slopes; some allow for mechanization
35
Q

What are the effects climate change is having on Savoie?

A

Benefit:
* Red grapes (especially Mondeuse) are able to ripen more consistently

Challenges/disadvantages:
* grapes for sparkling wine risk becoming too ripe in the future
* warmer winters mean earlier budbreak and an increased risk of early frosts

36
Q

What percentage of Savoie’s wine is dry white?

A

70% (blended or varietal)

37
Q

What is the primary grape variety of Savoie?

A

Jacquere

38
Q

What are the dominant varieties used in red and rose wines in Savoie?

A
  • Mondeuse
  • Gamay

Wine production for these wines is increasing.

39
Q

Name the AOCs of Savoie.

A
  • Savoie/Vin de Savoie AOC *
  • Roussette de Savoie AOC *
  • Seyssel AOC **

*cover the whole Savoie zone of production
**covers the small area of Seyssel

40
Q

Rank the production of the AOCs in Savoie from most to least.

A
  1. Savoie AOC (84%)
  2. Roussette de Savoie AOC (12%)
  3. Seyssel AOC (4%)
41
Q

When was Savoie awarded AOC status?

A

1973

42
Q

What wine styles are produced under Savoie AOC?

A
  • Dry White
  • Rose
  • Red
  • Sparkling White
  • Sparkling Rose
43
Q

Name the grape varieties of Savoie AOC.

A

White:
* [P] Chardonnay, Jacquere, Aligote, Altesse, Mondeuse Blanche, Roussanne, (Departement of Haute-Savoie also Chesselas, Gringet, Roussette d’Ayze, Molette), (Departement of Isere also Marsanne, Verdesse)

Rose/Gris:
* [P] Velteliner Rouge Precoce

Red:
* Gamay, Mondeuse, Pinot Noir, (Departement of Savoie also Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Persan), (Departement of Isere also Persan, Etraire de la Dui, Servanin, Joubertin)

44
Q

What are the grape requirements of Savoie AOC varietal wines?

A

Must comprise 100% of grape listed on label.

45
Q

What grapes are permitted in the production of white wine under Savoie AOC?

A

Any of the white or rose varieties that have been authorized.

Note: certain varieties are authorized only in specific areas.

46
Q

What grapes are used in the production of red and rose Savoie AOC wines?

A

Primarily Gamay and/or Mondeuse.

Note: Certain varieties are authorized within specific areas.

47
Q

Which AOC covers the Cremant de Savoie style of wine?

A

Savoie AOC
For white sparkling wines only.

48
Q

What are the blending rules for Cremant de Savoie?

A
  • min. 40% Jacquere
  • Jacquere and/or Altesse must make up 60% of total
  • max. 20% principal reds (vinified as white)
  • other primary white varieties are authorized blending partners
49
Q

What is the red sparkling wine produced under Savoie AOC?

A

Savoie rose mousseux:
* methode traditionnelle
* can be made from the major red & white grapes

50
Q

How many DGCs/crus are there in Savoie AOC?

A

16

51
Q

When was Roussette de Savoie awarded AOC status?

A

1973

52
Q

What style of wine is produced under Roussette de Savoie AOC?

A

Dry White

53
Q

What grape variety is permitted for wines under Roussette de Savoie AOC?

A

White:
* [P] Altesse

54
Q

How many DGCs/crus are there and what are they called?

A

4

  1. Frangy
  2. Marestel
  3. Monthoux
  4. Monterminod
55
Q

When was Seyssel awarded AOC status?

A

1942

56
Q

What styles of wine are produced under Seyssel AOC?

A
  • Dry White
  • Sparkling White
57
Q

Name the grape varieties authorized for Seyssel AOC.

A

White:
* [P] Altesse
* [P] Chassela
* [P] Molette

58
Q

If a wine is labeled Seyssel AOC, what grapes is it made from?

A

Altesse

59
Q

If a wine is labeled Seyssel Molette, what grapes are in it?

A

100% Molette

60
Q

What are the blending rules for sparkling Seyssel?

A
  • min. 75% Molette
  • min. 10% Altesse
  • Chasselas can complete the blend
61
Q

What is Bugey?

A

It is a small wine region (around 1,150ac/465ha).

62
Q

Where is Bugey located?

A

At the junction of Bourgogne, Savoie and Jura in the departement of Ain.

This small wine region covers the southern edges of the Jura Mountains. It’s topography is similar to Savoie.

63
Q

What soil types are found in Bugey?

A

Soils are limestone-based.

64
Q

What styles of wine does Bugey produce?

A
  • White: from Chardonnay
  • Red: Varietal from Gamay, Mondeuse or Pinot Noir (must be labeled as such)
  • Rose: primarily Gamay & Pinot Noir
  • Sparkling Methode Traditionelle & Petillant: primarily Chardonnay, Jacquere & Molette
  • Sparkling Roses &Petillant Roses: Gamay & Pinot Noir

Note: all wines must contain at least 70% of the listed primary varieties.

65
Q

What are the DGCs of Bugey?

A
  1. Manicle: known for its dry whites & reds
  2. Montagnieu: known for its reds, plus sparkling & petillant whites
  3. Cerdon: known for its methode ancestrale roses
66
Q

What style of wine is produced under Roussette du Bugey AOC?

A

Dry white wines from only Altesse.

67
Q

What are the DGCs of Roussette du Bugey AOC?

A
  1. Montagnie
  2. Virieu-le-Grand

French Wine Scholar (34 decks)

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